The article examines ideological and institutional role of the “greening” policy in the Soviet urban planning practice of 1920-1930s. Relying on the example of the socialist city of Uralmash in Yekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk) the author traces how the idea of the “green city” affected the development of the urban settlement in terms of its functional mechanism and symbolic transformation. By analyzing the logic of the Uralmash “green” policy and its main narratives he argues that successful improvement of the post-Soviet green zones depends not so much on the new urban city-planning initiatives as on the new symbols and meanings that could give a clear vision of these spaces in the current social and cultural context.
This paper provides an overview of developments affecting Slovenian social housing after the country’s transition to a market economy. It analyses the Slovenian institutional framework, its functioning and critically evaluates its sustainability. The economic and social impacts of the global financial crisis saw the sector face strong challenges and revealed its weaknesses. A new strategic document was adopted in 2015 to respond to the situation. Although this new document offers a transition to the more sustainable and better provision of social housing in practice, it is still too early for optimism since it would not be the first time in Slovenia that a strategic document has primarily remained only on the declaratory level.
The revival of the UN Security Council’s regulatory powers after the end of the Cold War as well as new challenges to international peace and security have led to the development and diversification of UN operational tools. In the absence of United Nations’ own material capacities to undertake necessary military action, due to the non-conclusion of agreements provided for in Article 43 of the UN Charter by which UN Member States would commit to provide the necessary force and other assistance to the Security Council upon its call, the latter developed other means. Today, there co-exist two mandated operations by the Security Council vested with the power to use force, each however within a different scope, limits and objective: UN-led “Blue Helmets” and UN-authorized military operations. This functional rapprochement causes nevertheless a great confusion, both in practice and recently in the judicial sphere. Hence, the clarification of the legal regime of each is essential. While the UN-led Blue Helmets vested with the limited power to use force represent the new generation of peacekeeping operations, the UN-authorized operations constitute a decentralized execution of the Council’s enforcement measure. In the latter case the Security Council turns to UN Member States or regional organizations and delegates them its exclusive power to use force under Article 42 of the UN Charter to execute it under set conditions. The limitation of the use of force by the UN-led operation to the strict defence of its civilian mandate does not exempt it from the regime of coercion established under Chapter VII of the UN Charter either. This raises a question of the legal status of this UN-led operation and whether possibly such tool approaches the original concept of UN enforcement forces laid down in Article 43. Analysis of the converging and diverging elements of both operations shows the complexity of this operational domain, the clarification of which is proposed in this article via a legal perspective.
Cíl studie: Výsledek každé analýzy DNA je do značné míry závislý na typu biologického materiálu použitého pro extrakci nukleových kyselin. Cílem naší studie je porovnat vlastnosti DNA extraktů získaných dvěma různými izolačními postupy z buněk bukální sliznice, močového sedimentu, nehtů, vlasových kořínků a periferních krevních buněk. Materiál a metody: Biologické vzorky byly získány od 24 dobrovolníků s mediánem věku 31 let (25–54 let). Izolace DNA byla provedena fenol-chloroformovou extrakcí a pomocí separačních mikrokolonek (Qiagen). Eluční objem byl v obou případech 50 μl. Extrakty byly charakterizovány spektrofotometricky, fluorimetricky, elektroforeticky a z hlediska účinnosti následné PCR amplifikace. Výsledky: Nejvyšší koncentrace DNA obsahovaly extrakty z buněk periferní krve a bukální sliznice; nejnižší koncentrace DNA byly izolovány z vlasových kořínků. Všechny typy extraktů měly uspokojivou čistotu (mediány v rozmezí 1,7–1,9). Podíl nefragmentované DNA ve vzorcích získaných mikrokolonkovou metodou byl téměř dvojnásobný v porovnání s fenolovou extrakcí. Procentuální zastoupení nefragmentovaných molekul klesal podle biologického zdroje v následující řadě: krev (73,3 %) > bukální sliznice (63,5 %) > močový sediment (31,3 %) > nehty (25,3 %) > vlasy (20,4 %). Amplifikační účinnost u extraktů z periferní krve, bukálního stěru a močového sedimentu byla vyšší než u extraktů z nehtů a vlasů. Závěr: Všechny analyzované extrakty pocházející z krevních buněk, bukální sliznice, močového sedimentu, nehtů a vlasů poskytly dostatek DNA molekul k provedení molekulárně biologických vyšetření. Nejvhodnějšími materiály byly krevní buňky a buňky bukální sliznice. Z nich připravené extrakty měly nejvyšší koncentraci a čistotu DNA bez ohledu na použitou izolační metodu, nejnižší podíl degradované DNA a nejvyšší účinnost amplifikace krátkých i dlouhých amplikonů., Objective: Results of DNA testing depend in many cases on the type of biological material used for extraction of nucleic acids. The aim of the study is to compare properties of DNA extracts prepared using two different isolation procedures from buccal cells, urine sediment, nails, hair roots, and peripheral blood cells. Material and Methods: Biological material was collected from 24 volunteers at median age of 31 years (range 25–54 years). Phenol–chloroform extraction and spin microcolumn extraction method (Qiagen) were used for DNA isolation. In both the procedures, the elution volume was 50 μl. The extracts were characterized optically (UV spectrophotometric and fluorimetric analyses), electrophoretically, and by PCR amplification efficiency. Results: The highest DNA concentrations were found in extracts from peripheral blood and buccal cells; the lowest DNA concentrations were in hair extracts. All types of the extracts had acceptable purity (medians 1.7–1.9). The content of nonfragmented DNA molecules in the microcolumns extracts was almost twofold higher in comparison to the phenol ones. The percentages of non-fragmented DNA decreased as follows: blood (73.3 %) > buccal cells (63.5 %) > urine sediment (31.3 %) > nails (25.3 %) > hair roots (20.4 %). The amplification efficiency in the peripheral blood, buccal swab, and urine extracts was significantly higher than in the nail and hair extracts. Conclusion: All analyzed DNA extracts received from blood, buccal cells, urine sediment, nails, and hair roots provided a sufficient number of integral DNA molecules for following DNA testing. The best quality of DNA was found in extracts from blood and buccal cells (high concentrations and purity, low degree of fragmentation, and high efficiency of amplification for either short or long PCR amplicons)., Beránek M., Hegerová J., Drastíková M., and Literatura 25
The sequence diversity in the mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase I (COI) gene was evaluated as a tool for resolving differences among species of European adelgids collected from several localities across the Czech Republic. Members of 7 genera and 16 species were examined, and as outgroups, two species of Phylloxeridae were used. Sequence divergences within species were on average less than 0.15%, whereas divergences between species ranged from 0.0 to 4.12% for congeneric and to 13.24% for intergeneric comparisons. It is concluded that DNA barcoding of Adelgidae is a powerful tool for identifying genera, but at the species level it works only in those cases where there are no species complexes. Nevertheless, it can be used as a complement to traditional, morphological taxonomy.
A hybrid approach to elephant trunk technique for treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms combines a conventional surgical and endovascular therapy. Compared to surgery alone, there is a presumption that mortality and morbidity is reduced. We present a case report of a 42-year-old man with a giant aneurysm of the entire thoracic aorta, significant aortic and tricuspid regurgitation and ventricular septum defect. The patient underwent multiple consecutive operations and interventions having, among others, finally replaced the entire thoracic aorta with the use of the hybrid elephant trunk technique. and T. Holubec, J. Raupach, J. Dominik, J. Vojácek
Autoři prezentují případ vzácného ?inverzního? syndromu Fostera-Kennedyho, který byl zpočátku zdrojem diagnostických rozpaků. Na základě klinických příznaků a výsledků grafických vyšetření autoři diskutují původ klinických projevů, jehož příčinou byl nitrolební meningeom. Pokud se nepodaří uspokojivě vysvětlit klinické příznaky ? centrální skotom s atrofií papily nebo druhostranné městnání na očním pozadí očním původem, je třeba včas indikovat grafická vyšetření mozku a vyloučit intrakraniální tumor., Zlatica Dúbravská, S. Řehák, V. Korda, H. Langrová, J. Studnička, J. Řehák, R. Malec, and Lit.: 10
Úvod: U 60 % nemocných s kolorektálním karcinomem jsou diagnostikovány jaterní metastázy (JMKRK), ať už v době stanovení diagnózy, nebo v průběhu léčby. Chirurgická léčba je jedinou potenciálně kurabilní metodou s pětiletým přežíváním dosahujícím cca 50 %. Jaterní resekci však podstoupí méně než 20 % pacientů s JMKRK. Společnou snahou onkologů a chirurgů je navýšit počet resekovaných pacientů. Jedním z postupů, jak navýšit resekabilitu JMKRK, je „liver first approach“ (LFA). Autoři prezentují vlastní předběžné výsledky této metody. Metody: Do multicentrického grantu IGA MZ NT 13660 – Hodnocení kvality multimodální péče u nemocných s jaterními metastázami kolorektálního karcinomu – bylo od září 2012 do ledna 2015 zařazeno v ÚVN 102 pacientů. LFA jsme použili u 12 pacientů (12 %). Po příznivé léčebné odpovědi neoadjuvantní systémové léčby jsme pacienty indikovali k resekci jater. U 11 pacientů se jednalo o mnohočetné (>4 meta) bilobární postižení. V jednom případě se jednalo o objemnou solitární metastázu pravého jaterního laloku. Primární tumor byl u 9 nemocných v rektu, u 3 v oblasti rektosigmatu, 3 pacienti měli derivační kolostomii, ostatní byli bez poruchy pasáže. Výsledky: U 11 pacientů jsme provedli R0 resekci jaterních metastáz, 3x jsme indikovali dvoufázovou hepatektomii s portální embolizací (PVE), 1x jsme pro progresi po PVE ustoupili od 2. fáze). Velkou resekci jsme provedli 7x, neanatomickou resekci včetně RFA 11x (6x v kombinaci s velkou resekcí). Perioperační mortalita byla nulová, morbidita 33 % (Dindo-Clavien >2). 10 pacientů absolvovalo adjuvantní chemoterapii, 7 z nich včetně radioterapie malé pánve pro lokálně pokročilý tumor rekta. U 7 pacientů (58 %) jsme doplnili resekci primárního tumoru. V současné době zemřeli na progresi onemocnění 2 pacienti (17 %), progresi onemocnění jsme zaznamenali u 6 pacientů (50 %). Závěr: LFA považujeme za vhodný především u pacientů s generalizovaným tumorem rekta, kdy lze po resekci jater adjuvantní systémovou léčbu kombinovat s radioterapií malé pánve. Otázkou zůstává načasování operace primárního tumoru, kdy je nutné vyloučit recidivu jaterních metastáz, která se objevuje u více než 50 % pacientů. Profit LFA musí být prokázán randomizovanými studiemi., Introduction: Liver metastases are diagnosed in 60% of patients with colorectal cancer, both at the time of diagnosis or later in the course of their management. Surgical treatment is the sole potentially curable method with 5–year overall survival of approximately 50%. However, only less than 20% of patients underwent liver resection. A joint effort of medical oncologists and surgeons is to increase the numbers of resected patients. The “liver first approach” (LFA) is one of approaches aimed at increasing resecability. The authors present their preliminary results using this method. Methods: 102 patients were included in the multicentre study supported by the grant IGA NT 13660 − Evaluation of quality of multimodal treatment for patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases – conducted at the Central Military Hospital between September 2012 and January 2015. We used LFA in 12 patients (12%). Patients were indicated for liver resection based on good response to neoadjuvant systemic therapy. Multiple bilobar liver involvement (>4 metastases) was present in 11 cases and one large solitary metastasis in the right liver lobe in one case. The primary tumor was located in the rectum in 9 patients, in the rectosigmoid in 3 patients; 3 patients had a colostomy. Others showed no signs of bowel obstruction. Results: We have performed R0 resections in 11 cases, and two-stage hepatectomy with portal vein embolisation was indicated 3 times (in one case we did not finish the second stage due to quick progression after PVE). We performed major resections 7 times, along with sever extraanatomic resections, incl. 11 RFA (6 times in combination with major resections). Perioperative mortality was 0%, morbidity 33% (Dindo-Clavien >2). Ten patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, in 7 cases including radiotherapy of the small pelvis due to a local advanced primary tumor. Resection of the primary tumor was done in 7 patients (58%). Two patients died recently because of disease progression (17%); progression was observed in 6 patients (50%). Conclusion: We deem the LFA suitable especially for patients with metastatic rectal tumors where adjuvant systemic therapy can be combined with radiotherapy. The timing of the resection of the primary tumor still remains a question: it is necessary to rule out potential recurrence of liver metastases, which affected more than 50% of the patients. The benefit of LFA must be confimed by randomised studies., and J. Pudil, S. Batko, K. Menclová, M. Bláha, M. Ryska
The cuticular structure of juveniles of several oribatids of different families with wrinkled cuticles were compared: Hermannia gibba, Tectocepheus velatus, Scutovertex minutus, Achipteria coleoptrata and Eupelops occultus. Both the surface and internal structures of the "plissée" were studied. Light microscopy revealed several patterns in mites studied with Masson's triple stain and these results were supported by TEM. Although the "plissée" looks similar at the body surface, the structure and ultrastructure differ among groups. Some types of wrinkling is supported by small muscles, probably for changing body shape. Differences in the structure of the cuticle of the prosoma and opisthosoma were observed. The differences in the wrinkling in the cuticle in diferent lines is associated with change in the body shape in response to different moisture conditions.
Sdělení je stručnou informací o akcích na podporu zdraví, které se konaly v říjnu 2013 v Liberci pod záštitou programu Zdravý Liberecký kraj, z iniciativy pracovní skupiny pro realizaci Programu dlouhodobého zlepšování zdravotního stavu obyvatel Libereckého kraje. Program týdne podpory zdraví se věnoval správné péči o chrup, škodlivosti kouření a jeho odvykání, pohybových aktivit a jejich individuální indikaci pro konkrétní zájemce, konzultaci otázek týkajících se zdravého životního stylu. Vše bylo doplněno informacemi o zdravém stravování a orientačním vyšetřením fyzické kondice nebo získáním zdravotně výchovných materiálů. Snahou pořadatelů bylo občanům připomenout význam a možnosti opomíjené prevence a zdůraznit zodpovědnost každého jednotlivce za své zdraví., The article is a short information on health promotion campaigns held in October 2013 in the regional city Liberec (Czech Republic) under the auspices of Healthy Region Liberec. The campaigns were initiated by the working group for realization of the "Programme of long-term improving of health of people in the Liberec region". The "Week of health promotion" brought to light proper dental care, knowledge on tobacco hazards and quitting the habit, advised of individual physical activity, offered consultations on healthy lifestyle and proposals of healthy eating and a short examination of physical fitness. Visitors received some health education materials. The organizers' endeavor was to bring to mind to the public the importance of disease prevention and to underline the responsibility of everyone for one's own health., Blanka Ptáčková, Alena Riegerová, and Literatura
Vstupní otázkou textu je, existuje-li specificky romská kriminalita. Ve své studii, která je primárně odpovědí na uvedenou otázku, autor danou problematiku nahlíží programově v perspektivě sociálně-kulturní, kdy jako „Romy“ chápe nositele specifické (tj. romské) kultury a romskou kriminalitu pak následně jako specifickou součást této kultury, respektive jako výsledek kontaktu nositelů této kultury s kulturou majoritní (zde české) společnosti. V této poloze je celý text kritikou všech – v české a slovenské populaci doposud převládajících – představ o tom, že kriminální jednání mají Romové/Cikáni vrozené („v krvi“). V úzké vazbě na centrální otázku se autor snaží odhalit příčiny romské kriminality. V základním plánu pak identifikuje dva základní typy těchto příčin – jednak příčiny vyplývající z determinace specifickou (tj. romskou) kulturní tradicí, za druhé pak příčiny vyplývající z adaptace Romů (v uvedeném smyslu) na současné podmínky české společnosti. Podložím celé studie jsou autorovy výzkumy prováděné jednak v tzv. romských osadách na Slovensku a jednak v tzv. romských ghettech v České republice., The main question of the article is whether there exists a specific Roma criminality. In his study, which primarily answers the above mentioned question, the author examines the issue from the socio-cultural perspective, that is he considers “Roma” as bearers of a specific (i.e. Roma) culture and Roma criminality as a specific part of this culture, or more precisely, as a consequence of the contact of the bearers of this culture with the bearers of the culture of the majority (in this case Czech) society. In this sense, the paper represents a criticism of all the conceptions of Roma criminality based on a presumption that criminal behaviour is part of the Roma nature (“it is in their blood”). In this connection, the author makes an attempt to discover the causes of Roma criminality. At a general level, he identifies two types of these causes: 1) causes determined by a specific (i.e. Roma) cultural tradition and 2) causes resulting from the adaptation of the Roma (in a given sense) to the contemporary situation of the Czech society. The empirical data come from research conducted by the author and his fiancée in Roma settlements in Eastern Slovakia and in the so called “Roma ghettos” in the Czech Republic., Marek Jakoubek, and Literatura
Takotsubo kardiomyopatie je náhle vzniklé onemocnění charakterizované reverzibilní poruchou kinetiky levé srdeční komory. V typickém případě se rozvíjí následkem silného stresového podnětu a prezentuje se symptomy, EKG a laboratorním nálezem, které připomínají akutní koronární syndrom. Od toho se liší nepřítomností onemocnění koronárních tepen a ve většině případů nekomplikovaným průběhem s následnou velmi dobrou dlouhodobou prognózou. V kazuistice popisujeme případ 63leté ženy, u které se počátek onemocnění projevil fibrilací komor. Díky okamžité kardiopulmonální resuscitaci a následné odborné péči ve specializovaném kardiocentru, která mimo jiné zahrnovala implantaci implantabilního kardioverteru-defibrilátoru v rámci sekundární prevence náhlé srdeční smrti, se pacientka zotavila bez jakýchkoliv následků. Takotsubo kardiomyopatie je důležitou jednotkou v diferenciální diagnóze akutního koronárního syndromu. I přes dobrou prognózu, kterou se vyznačuje ve většině případů, ji nelze podcenit a zaslouží si náležitou pozornost a léčbu, která umožní předcházet případným komplikacím., Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an acute syndrome characterized by rapid onset of transient systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. Symptoms, ECG and laboratory findings resemble acute coronary syndrome, from which TTC differs by the absence of coronary artery disease. In typical cases, TTC is triggered by exposure to unexpected stress and the clinical course and prognosis are very good. We present a case of a 63-year-old woman, in whom the onset of the disease was complicated by ventricular fibrillation. The patient recovered without sequelae thanks to immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and following care in a specialized cardiocenter, which involved also implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillator to prevent sudden cardiac death. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an important entity in the differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Despite very good prognosis in most cases it should not be underestimated and it deserves careful attention and treatment which can prevent harmful complications., and Lumír Koc, Marie Pavlušová, Jiří Pařenica, Jan Maňoušek, Jitka Vlašínová, Jindřich Špinar, Petr Kala
Cíl: předvést praktické použití softwarové techniky určené k analýze variance - one-way ANOVA - ke dvěma účelům verifikačního procesu: k odhadu nejistoty analytické metody dle dokumentu CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) C51-A Vol. 32 No. 4 „Expression of Measurement Uncertainty in Laboratory Medicine, Approved Guideline“, 2012 [1] a současně ke zjednodušení postupu verifikace preciznosti měřicího postupu dle CLSI EP15-A2 Vol. 25 No.17 „User Verification of Performance for Precision and Trueness; Approved Guideline, Second Edition“ [2]. Výsledky: aplikace obou normativních postupů je předvedena v praktickém příkladu odhadu nejistoty jedné koncentrační hladiny látkové koncentrace urey v lidském séru (měřená veličina) a současně ke zjednodušenému postupu verifikace preciznosti tohoto měřicího postupu. Verifikační experiment odpovídá dokumentu EP15-A2 a měření se prováděla na jedné koncentrační hladině měřené veličiny vždy ve třech opakováních v průběhu pěti dní. Cíl - diskuse: předvést možnost zjednodušení verifikačního postupu. Závěr: Pomocí techniky one-way ANOVA lze současně provést výpočet nejistoty měření i mezilehlé (celkové) preciznosti., Objective: To demonstrate the practical use of the „one-way ANOVA“ technique for the expression of measurement uncertainty in laboratory medicine as well as to simplify the process of the user verification of performance for precision according, according to documents CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute), titled as C51-A Vol.32 No.4 „Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement Laboratory Medicine, Approved Guideline“, 2012 [1], next only the C51-A, and according to CLSI EP15-A2 Vol. 25 No.17 document titled as „User verification of Performance for Precision and trueness; Approved Guideline, Second Edition“ [2], hereinafter EP15-A2. Results: The application of both normative practices is demonstrated in the practical example use for the uncertainty method estimation on one concentration level of the urea molar concentration in the human serum (measurand), together with the simplified procedure of the user verification of the method performance for the precision. The verification experiment matches the document EP15-A2, i.e. one measurand level running in 3 replicates on each of the 5 days. The calculation of the measurement uncertainty and the intermediate precision is processed by analyzing components of the variability in the „one-way ANOVA“ technique. Objective - Discussion: to demonstrate the possibility of simplifying the verification process Conclusion: the evaluation using one-way ANOVA technique to estimate the method uncertainty and the user verification of the method performance for the precision as well., Ambrožová J., and Literatura
Približne každý piaty Slovák je obézny a každý druhý má nadváhu. Z tohto dôvodu bol realizovaný projekt Diateens – projekt pre mládež na prevenciu diabetes mellitus. Záštitu nad projektom prevzala Slovenská diabetologická spoločnosť a slovenská kancelária WHO ako jeden z edukačných programov v rámci Národného diabetologického programu. Cieľom projektu bolo zlepšiť informovanosť mladých ľudí o ochorení diabetes mellitus, zmapovať ich zdravotný stav a podporiť zdravý životný štýl (zdravé správanie) ako významný komponent v prevencii proti uvedenému ochoreniu. Kľúčové slova: diabetes mellitus – Diateens – nadváha – obezita – prevencia – zdravie podporujúce správanie, Približne každý piaty Slovák je obézny a každý druhý má nadváhu. Z tohto dôvodu bol realizovaný projekt Diateens – projekt pre mládež na prevenciu diabetes mellitus. Záštitu nad projektom prevzala Slovenská diabetologická spoločnosť a slovenská kancelária WHO ako jeden z edukačných programov v rámci Národného diabetologického programu. Cieľom projektu bolo zlepšiť informovanosť mladých ľudí o ochorení diabetes mellitus, zmapovať ich zdravotný stav a podporiť zdravý životný štýl (zdravé správanie) ako významný komponent v prevencii proti uvedenému ochoreniu. Kľúčové slova: diabetes mellitus – Diateens – nadváha – obezita – prevencia – zdravie podporujúce správanie, and Viera Cviková, Adriana Ilavská
The question of the reasons for the extreme variation in morbidity among the gene carriers of acute porphyria and the great diversity of the precipitating factors are approached by the aid of a model of interacting genomic circuits. It is based on the current paradigm of the acute porphyric attack as a result of a toxic proximal overload of the enzyme-
deficient heme-biosynthetic patway. Porphyrogenic influx of precursors is seen as a consequence of uncontrolled induction of its gate-keeping enzyme, ubiquitous 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS1), due to attenuated post-translational control of the enzyme combined with activated gene transcription. Focus is directed on the genomic
control of the master-regulator of ALAS1-transcription, the nuclear receptor pair constitutively active receptor (CAR) and pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR). On activation by their ligands, i.e. lipophilic drugs, solvents, alcohols, hormonal steroids and biocides, these DNA-binding proteins transform xenobiotic or steroid stimuli to coordinated
activations of gene transcription-programs for ALAS1 and apo-cytochromes P450 (apo-CYPs), thus effecting the formation of xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes. The potency of the CAR/PXR-transduction axis is enhanced by co-activators generated in
at least four other genomic circuits, each triggered by different external and internal stimuli clinically experienced to be porphyroge
nic, and each controlled by co-activating and co-repressing modulators. The expressions of the genes for CAR and PXR are thus augmented by binding glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activated by a steroid hormone, e.g, cortisol generated in fasting, infection or different forms of stress. The promotor regions of ALAS1 and apoCYPs contain binding sites for at least three co-activating transcription factors enhancing CAR/PXR transduction: i.e. the ligand-independent growth hormone (GH)-pulse controlled hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4), the insulin-responsive forkhead box class O-(FOXO) protein pathway activated in stress and infection, and the proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 al
pha (PGC-1alpha) circuit responding to glucagon liberated in fasting. Many interactions and cross-talk take place within the tangle of genomic circuits that control ALAS1-transcription, which may explain the extreme inter- and intra-individual variability in morbidity in acute porphyria. Reasons for gender-differences are found in sex-dependent control of HPA- and GH-activity as well as in direct, or GR-mediated effects on CAR/PCR activation. Constitutional differences in individual porphyric morbidity may be discussed along lines of mutations or duplications of genes for co-activating or co-repressing nuclear proteins active at different levels within the circuits.
In the course of cytogenetic studies on Alegoria castelnaui Fleutiaux & Sallé 1889 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Tenebrioninae: Ulomini) from Guadeloupe, a number of adult specimens were dissected. A larva was found in the abdomens of almost all of the females. The karyotype, 20,XX / 20,Xyp, and the presence of heterochromatin at multiple chromosomal locations, of the larvae and adults were similar, which excludes parasitism and indicates viviparous reproduction. The adverse habitat of the adults, i.e., putrid and fermenting pseudo-stems of banana trees rather than geo-climatic conditions, may explain the occurrence of viviparity in this species. This is the first example of (ovo-)viviparity in the Ulomini tribe and among New World Tenebrionidae. A. castelnaui is regularly collected on banana trees infested with the weevil Cosmopolites sordidus Germar, 1824, a major pest of banana trees around the word. The coexistence of these two species on banana trees may be coincidental but another Ulomini species, Eutochia pulla Erichson 1843, is described as an egg predator of C. sordidus in Africa and therefore, A. castelnaui could also be a predator of this pest.
The 14-3-3 proteins are a family of acidicr egulatory molecules found in all eukaryotes. 14-3-3 proteins function as molecular scaffolds by modulating the conformation of their binding partners. Through the functional modulation of a wide range of binding partners, 14-3-3 proteins are involved in many processes including cell cycle regulation, metabolism control, apoptosis, and control of gene transcription. This minireview includes a short overview of 14-3-3 proteins and then focuses on their role in the regulation of two important binding partners: FOXO forkhead transcription factors and an enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase., V. Obšilová, J. Šilhan, E. Bouřa, J. Teisinger, T. Obšil., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Speleothems in 6 sandstone caves in the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) were dated by means of 14C and U-series methods. Stable isotopes of C and O, FAAS, IR, XRD, XRF and SEM were used to characterize the carbonate material and its source. Stable isotopes (C and O) composition of speleothems in two caves corresponds to values characteristic for cave speleothems in Central Europe. In other caves they indicate evaporation and fast carbon dioxide escape during carbonate precipitation. The speleothems from the Krtola Cave were deposited between 8 and 13 kyr BP. Speleothems were deposited 5-8 kyr BP in the Sintrová, Mrtvé Údolí and U Studánky caves. Calcite coatings on smooth sandstone surfaces in studied caves demonstrate that cave walls did not retreat even a few mm in the last 5-8 kyr since speleothem deposition and are thus not evolving under recent climatic conditions. Most of the cave ceilings and walls are at present time indurated by hardened surfaces, which protect the sandstone from erosion. Sandstone caves probably intensively evolved either during or at the end of the Last Glacial period. There are two different erosion mechanisms which might have formed/reshaped the caves at that time: A) In the case of permafrost conditions: Repeated freeze/melt cycles affecting sandstone pore space followed by the transport of fallen sand grains by minor temporary trickles. We expect that heat was transmitted by air circulating between the cave and the surface; B) Seepage erosion of sandstone during the melting of permafrost, prior forming of case hardening., Jiří Bruthans, Jana Schweigstillová, Petr Jenč, Zdeňka Churáčková and Petr Bezdička., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Our own study as well as others have previously reported that hypoxia activates 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) in the brain, causing a series of chain reactions, which exacerbates ischemic stroke. 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and 15-oxoeicosatetraenoic acid (15-oxo-ETE/15-KETE) are 15-LO-specific metabolites of arachidonic acid (AA). 15-HETE was found to be rapidly converted into 15-oxo-ETE by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) in some circumstances. We have demonstrated that 15-HETE promotes cerebral vasoconstriction during hypoxia. However, the effect of 15-oxo-ETE upon the contraction of cerebral vasculature remains unclear. To investigate this effect and to clarify the underlying mechanism, we performed immunohistochemistry and Western blot to test the expression of 15-PGDH in rat cerebral tissue, examined internal carotid artery (ICA) tension in isolated rat ICA rings. Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to analyze the expression of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels (Kv2.1, Kv1.5, and Kv1.1) in cultured cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMCs). The results showed that the levels of 15-PGDH expression were drastically elevated in the cerebral of rats with hypoxia, and 15-oxo-ETE enhanced ICA contraction in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was more significant in the hypoxic rats than in the normoxic rats. We also found that 15-oxo-ETE significantly attenuated the expression of Kv2.1 and Kv1.5, but not Kv1.1. In conclusion, these results suggest that 15-oxo-ETE leads to the contraction of the ICA, especially under hypoxic conditions and that specific Kv channels may play an important role in 15-oxo- ETE-induced ICA constriction., Di Wang, Yu Liu, Ping Lu, Daling Zhu, Yulan Zhu., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Od 11. do 13. října 2007 se v Helsinkách konala 15. konference Evropské asociace veřejného zdravotnictví. Konference byla vynikající po stránce vědecké i organizační a přispěla jak k rozšíření profesionálních kontaktů, tak ke vzájemnému porozumění. Jejím hlavním tématem byla "Budoucnost veřejného zdravotnictví ve sjednocené Evropě"., The 15th Conference of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) was held from 11 to 13 October 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. The EUPHA Conference has reached an excellent scientific standard, a high level of organisational quality and a strong sense of professional commitment. The overall theme of the 15th EUPHA Conference was "The Future of Public Health in the Unified Europe"., Jan Holčík, and Lit.: 2
Cíl: Zjistit přínos 18F-fluorocholinového PET/ CT (18F-FCH PET/CT) pro cílenou biopsii prostaty u pacientů s opakovaně negativními biopsiemi a trvajícím podezřením na přítomnost karcinomu prostaty. Soubor pacientů a metoda: Od ledna 2013 do května 2015 jsme provedli 18-F-FCH PET/CT cholinové PET CT vyšetření u 30 pacientů. Indikačním kritériem bylo PSA nad 10 ng/ml a prodělání více než tři biopsií prostaty, včetně biopsie saturační. Pokud to bylo možné, pak pacienti předem prodělali šestitýdenní kůru ATB terapie Doxycyklinem 100mg 2x denně k eliminaci zánětu, a tím možným falešně pozitivním nálezům na 18F-FCH PET/CT. Poté bylo provedeno PET/CT vyšetření a následně s odstupem byla provedena cílená biopsie ložisek popsaných na 18F-FCH PET/CT. Cílená biopsie byla provedena pod sonografickou kontrolou transrektálně za pomoci kognitivní fúze PET/CT obrazu s real-time sonografickým záznamem. Byly odebírány jen vzorky z ložisek popsaných na PET/CT. Výsledky: Od ledna 2013 do května 2015 absolvovalo 18F-FCH PET/CT 30 pacientů. Průměrný věk pacientů byl 66 let v rozmezí 57–75 let. U 14 z nich jsme potvrdili karcinom prostaty, což činí 46% záchyt ve skupině rebiopsií. Všichni tito pacienti měli Gleasonovo skóre vyšší než sedm a PSA vyšší než 20 ng/ml. Závěr: V našem souboru jsme prokázali přínos 18F-FCH PET/CT u pacientů s opakovaně negativními biopsiemi a pokračující elevací PSA, u kterých nebyl karcinom prostaty standardním způsobem detekován. Ložisko vyznačené pomocí 18F-cholinufluorocholinu umožnilo cílenou biopsii pod sonografickou kontrolou. V současnosti není jednoznačné doporučení, jak postupovat u pacientů, u kterých máme opakovaně negativní biopsie prostaty a trvá podezření na přítomnost karcinomu. Využití 18F-FCH PET/CT se jeví jako jedna z mož- ností., Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the benefits of 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT in patients with repeated negative biopsies and continued suspicion of prostate carcinoma. Material and methods: 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT (18F-FCH PET/CT) was performed with 30 patients from January 2013 until May 2015. Indication criteria were PSA above 10 ng/ml and three biopsies. If possible patients underwent six weeks treatment of antibiotic therapy with Doxycyclin 100mg twice per day to eliminate inflammation and possible false findings in PET/CT. Then PET/CT was performed with following targeted biopsy of focus from 18F-FCH PET/CT. Targeted biopsy was done under the sonographic transrectal control with the help of cognitive fusion PET/CT image with real-time sonography. Only samples from centers identified with PET/CT were taken. Results: From January 2013 until May 2015 30 patients underwent 18F-FCH PET/CT. Average age of patients was 66 years (57–75 years). We confirmed prostate cancer in 14 of them which is 46 % success in rebiopsy group. All these patients had Gleason score above seven and PSA higher than 20 ng/ml. Conclusions: We have shown in our sample the benefits of 18F-cholinFCH PET/CT in patients with repeated negative biopsies and continued PSA elevation, where prostate carcinoma was not detected in standard biopsies. The use of 18F-FCH PET/CT seems promising in diagnostic of prostate cancer where 18F-fluorocholine can be found also in slow growing cells of majority of prostate carcinoma. Using this method we can diagnose also tumors, which are located outside of typical areas in the peripheral zone and therefore can be missed even in repeated biopsies., Šárka Kudláčková, Milan Král, Pavel Koranda, Vladimír Študent, and Literatura
Obrovskobuněčné arteritida je řazena mezi vaskulitidy velkých cév. Jejím prvním projevem může být horečnatý stav s elevací markem zánětu (FW a CRP), v rámci vyšetřování takových nemocných lze využít PET (PET/CT) vyšetření. Cíl. Ověření, zda vysoká akumulace FDG ve stěnách velkých tepen odpovídá obrovskobuněčné arteritidě. Metoda. Zařazeno bylo 39 nemocných s podezřením na vaskulitidu velkých tepen na základě PET (25 pacientů) a PET/CT (14 pacientů), jednalo se o 30 žen a devět mužů ve věku 45-81 let, průměr 64,9 let, medián 65 let. K potvrzení byl zvolen přímý průkaz histologickým vyšetřením z excize tepny (4 pacienti) nebo nepřímý - terapeutický test poklesem FW a CRP při kortikoterapii v imunosupresivních dávkách (39 pacientů). Akumulace FDG byla měřena v sedmi cévních oblastech, pokud přesahovala akumulaci referenčního jaterního parenchymu, byla oblast hodnocena jako pozitivní. Kontrolním souborem byl vzorek 100 pacientů bez vaskulitidy. Porovnávány byly výsledky dalších zobrazovacích vyšetření. Výsledky. Obrovskobuněčné arteritis byla ověřena u tří ze čtyř histologických vyšetření. Nepřímým testem byla potvrzena vaskulitida u všech 39 pacientů. U pacientů s vaskulitidou před nasazením kortikoterapie byla nalézána pozitivita alespoň tří cévních oblastí, zatímco v kontrolním souboru byla nalézána pozitivita 0-2 cévních oblastí. Další zobrazovací vyšetření jasné známky vaskulitidy nedetekovala, mohla být hodnocena jako abnormní. Závěr. Nález generalizované vysoké akumulace FDG ve velkých tepnách u nemocných se známkami aktivního zánětlivého onemocnění svědčil pro vaskulitidu velkých tepen. PET (PET/CT) vyšetření detekovalo onemocnění v časné fázi a určovalo i jeho rozsah. Přímé zobrazení postižení spánkových tepen se zdařilo až za použití PET/CT skeneru., Aim. To verify if high FDG uptake in the walls of large vessels is corresponding with giant cell arteritis. Method. Based on PET (25 pts) and PET/ CT (14 pts) examinations, 39 patients with suspicion of large-vessel vasculitis formed a cohort in which were 30 males and 9 females aged 45-81 with a mean age of 64.9 and median of 65 years. For verifying, a direct proof using histologie examination of a vessel excision (4 pts) or an indirect one - a therapeutic test for ESR and CRP decreases during corticotherapy in immunosuppressive doses (39 pts) were opted. FDG uptake was measured in 7 vessel areas with an area evaluated as positive when it surpassed an uptake of the liver parenchyma. As a control group a sample of 100 patients free from vasculitis was used. For comparison, results from further imaging examinations were used. Results. Giant cell arteritis was proved in 3 from 4 histologie examinations. By indirect testing, vasculitis in all 39 patients was confirmed. In patients with vasculitis before the use of corticotherapy, positivity of at least 3 vessel areas was found, whereas in the control group positivity was observed in 0-2 vessel areas. Further imaging examinations did not detect clear symptoms of vasculitis, it could be evaluated as abnormal. Conclusion. The finding of generalized high FDG uptake in large vessels in patients with symptoms of active inflammatory disease gave evidence for large-vessel vasculitis. The PET (PET/CT) examinations detected the disease in its early phase and also determined the extent thereof. Direct imaging of afflicted temporal vessels was successful only by using a hybrid PET/CT scanner., and Zdeněk Řehák, Zdeněk Fojtík, Petr Szturz, Zbyněk Bortlíček, Jana Eremiášová, Jaroslav Staníček, Karol Bolčák, Petr Opletal, Renata Koukalová, Iva Neveselá, Jiří Vašina, Jiří Prášek, Iva Kielkowská, Petr Němec
Cíl. Posoudit přínos 18F-FDG-PET/CT k volbě léčebné strategie u renálního karcinomu. Metoda. Byla provedena analýza souboru 40 nemocných (28 mužů a 12 žen s průměrným věkem 67,8 let v rozpětí 53-86 let), kteří podstoupili 18F-FDG-PET/CT. U všech nemocných bylo na základě ultrasonografie podezření na lokálně objemný nebo pokročilý renální karcinom. 18F-FDG-PET/CT vyšetření byla provedena protokolem, který zahrnoval dvoufázovou CT angiografii se zachycením ledvin v arteriální a venózní fázi. U nemocných byla porovnána úroveň akumulace 18F-FDG s histologicky stanoveným gradingem a dále byl sledován vývoj onemocnění po dobu 12 měsíců od provedení 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Výsledky. Celková mortalita v souboru byla 45%, nejvyšší úroveň akumulace dosahovaly nádory 4. stupně gradingu (průměrná hodnota SUV 10,4, rozpětí 5-22) , nejvyšší mortalita byla u nádorů s výší akumulace přesahující 10 SUVmax (63, 6%). Nové informace přineslo 18F-FDG-PET/CT ve srovnání s nálezem CT u 87,5%. Závěr: 18F-FDG-PET/CT přispívá k rozhodnutí o terapii, zejména odhalením vzdálené diseminace, ale má potenciál i k odhadu prognózy pomocí stanovení maximálních hod not akumulace 18F-FDG., Aim. To assess the impact of 18F-FDG-PET/ CT on the treatment decision in renal cell carcinoma. Method. The analysis of the sample of 40 patients was made; it consists of 28 males, 12 females, mean age 67.8 years, ranging 53-86 years. All patients underwent 18F-FDG-PET/ CT including two-phase CT-angiography of the kidneys, locally advanced or generalized renal cell carcinoma was suspected in all patients. The level of the 18F-FDG accumulation within the tumor was compared with the histological grading and the development of the disease was surveyed twelve months after 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Results. Overall mortality reached 45%, the highest 18F-FDG accumulation showed tumor of the grade 4 (mean SUV 10.4, ranging 5-22), the highest mortality was present in tumors exceeded the SUVmax value of 10 (mortality 63.6%). New information was brought by 18F-FDG-PET/CT in comparison to CT in 87.5%. Conclusion. 18F-FDG-PET/CT is useful tool to make decision about the way of treatment especially when the generalization is confirmed or excluded; the method is bearing the potential to set the prognosis according the reached value of 18F-FDG accumulation measured in SUVmax., Jiří Ferda, Eva Ferdová, Milan Hora, Ondřej Hes, and Lit.: 16
2’(3’)-0-[N- [2- [3- [5-fluoresceinyl] thioureido] ethyl] carbamoyl] adenosine 5’-triphosphate (FEDA-ATP), a spectroscopic tool used for studying skeletal muscle myosin ATPase subfragment 1, was applied to Na+/K+- ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37). In contrast to the myosin subfragment, we found that FEDA-ATP is not a substrate for Na + /K + -ATPase. On the other hand, FEDA-ATP showed an affinity for both the low (E2, K<j = 2001MM) and the high (Ei, Kd = 22,«M) affinity ATP-binding sites. When the microscopic affinities of FEDA-ATP were used for calculating the macroscopic affinity in the overall reaction according to Kj = (KdEl*KdE2)1/2, the experimentally measured inhibition constant of 66,wM was obtained. To evoke irreversible binding inhibitors, FEDA-ATP was transferred in its chromium (III) and cobalt(III) complex analogs, which are suitable tools for labelling the ATP binding sites of Na + /K+ -ATPase in a specific way.
Římské vojenské tažení proti Marobudovi v r. 6 po Kr. představuje nejstarší přesně datovanou historickou událost vztahující se k České kotlině. Při příležitosti dvoutisíciletého výročí této události se autor zamýšlí nad metodickými problémy bádání o starší době římské v Čechách. Na příkladech chronologie archeologických horizontů, migrace etnických jednotek, římských importů a právě římského tažení v r. 6 je v článku poukázáno na fakt, že česká archeologie tradičně upřednostňuje písemné prameny před archeologickými. Mnohé údaje, o které se badatelé opírají, však nejsou v písemných pramenech doložitelné. Často se jedná pouze o domněnky a interpretace historiků. Článek upozorňuje na metodologickou neúnosnost vytváření archeologických konstrukcí, které jsou závislé na takovýchto domněnkách. and The Roman military campaign against Maroboduus in the year 6 AD is the earliest accurately dated historical event linked to the Bohemian Basin. On the occasion of its 2000th anniversary, the author considers the methodological problems attendant upon research into the early Roman period in Bohemia. Taking examples from the chronology of archaeological horizons, the migrations of ethnic units, Roman imports and the Roman campaign of 6 AD itself, the article demonstrates the fact that Czech archaeology has traditionally prioritised written over archaeological sources. Much if the data on which researchers rely, however, cannot be proven in the written record: often, they are merely the conjectures and interpretations of historians. This article highlights the methodological unjustifiability of creating archaeological constructs that are dependent on such conjectures.
Quaternary faulting in the western part of the Gulf of Corinth has been evidenced by geology and geomorphology, as well as by seismic recording. A series of three main normal fault segments are aligned in a steep southern coastal zone of the gulf. These fault segments, 15 to 25 km long, have an average strike of 90° - 105° and a northward dip of about 50° - 75°. Selected fault points were equipped with 3-D crack gauges TM71 during 2002 to monitor movements along the fault planes here, as well as on another fault cutting through the small island of Trizonia near the opposite northern shore of the gulf. Results of the monitoring present relative displacements induced by active tectonic movement s. Generally, the movements recorded on the faults are characteristic of an aseismic linear creep in vertical, i.e. upliftin g/subsiding in rates of mm per year due to uplifts of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. In 2003 a thr ee months long period of fast acceleration of movements was recorded. During this acceleration phase displacements changed to skew uplifting/subsiding with a left-lateral horizontal component. Moreover, horizontal rotation of monitored blocks corresponding to a sy stematic westwards opening of the Gulf was observed with only single eastward opening episodes., Josef Stemberk and Blahoslav Košťák., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
During routine processing of selected events of an active KTB experiment it has appeared doubts concerning data reliability and consequently the reliability of results based on them. In the paper 3 events are studied in detail, full seismic moment tensors, as well as their errors, are determined (by non-linear inversion of P/SH waves ratios). It is shown that for the processed low constrained data moment tensor (MT) can be determined, however the relative error is of order of first tens of percent; the results also considerably depend on the way of data picking, used medium model, way of Cost function construction, etc. Any subsequent geophysical interpretation therefore should takes into account this uncertainty. MTs are finally decomposed into DC and non-DC parts, MTs errors are also transformed., Petr Kolář., and Obsahuje bibliografii
3D microscopy and image analysis provide reliable measurements of length, branching, density, tortuosity and orientation of tubular structures in biological samples. We present a survey of methods for analysis of large samples by measurement of local differences in geometrical characteristics. The methods are demonstrated on the structure of the capillary bed in a rat brain., J. Janáček ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The present paper concerns long-term 3D monitoring of active fault structures in the Krupnik-Kresna seismic zone, SW Bulgaria with the use of extensometers TM71. The purpose is to establish the real rates of fault movements in the most seismically active area in Bulgaria. Three points were installed (B6 on Krupnik Fault, and K5 and K12 on Struma Fault), which indicate a recent activity. The fault movements are characteristic with “calm” periods, linear slips, accelerations and sudden displacements. Different regimes of dynamics have been established corresponding to different periods. The greatest dynamics is found at monitoring point B6 along Krupnik Fault: for the whole period of observation the trends are calculated as left lateral slip with 1.88 mm/a and a thrusting with 1.59 mm/a with high correlation coefficients. Co-seismic displacements from local and distant earthquakes were recorded. The significant impact was from M=7.4, 17 August, 1999, Izmit Earthquake, Turkey, showing a shortening of 8.34 mm, a right-lateral slip of 5.09 mm and a thrusting of 0.96 mm. After that, for a short period of time the regime of movement on fault was changed. Movements on the Struma system reveal lower rates. Both points show left-lateral movements, 0.28 mm/a at K5 and 0.09 mm/a at K12, and thrusting with 0.11 mm/a at K5 and 0.72 mm/a at K12., Nikolai Dobrev., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The present paper shows the results of 3D monitoring with the use of extensomet ers TM71 performed in Bulgaria in the framework of COST Action 625. This research was performed in selected areas: Simitli graben that is the most seismoactive area in Bulgaria; Madara plat eau - rock scarp with historical monument affe cted by rock toppling; East Rhodopes area - a possibly active fault zone and a large landslide. The most impressive results were established at Simitli graben area with the rate of 2.73 mm/year sinistral movement of Krupnik Fault. Local earthquakes located at NE part of the graben usually influence the movements along this fault. An acceleration of the left latera l movements during calm periods has been established, and respectively, the movements stop (or going in opposite direction) during seismic activity. At Madara site, the results from the 15 years monitoring show subsidence of rock s lices by 0.9 mm per year and si milar rate movement of the slices to South direction. Influence from Izmit earthquake, Vrancea earthquakes and local ones have been established. The monitoring of the fault at General Geshe vo Village, East Rhodopean area started in 2003. The first results show mainly gravitational movements - subsidence of NE block 1.5 mm/year., Nikolai Dobrev and Elka Avramova-Tacheva., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
The paper presents the results of geodyn amic research in the fram e of the project COST 625 relating to active tectonic structures’ monitoring on the selected areas in Poland, Italy and Greece. Research was realised using a self-developed control and measurement system. The resu lts of researches for period 2000-2006 indi cate slight movements of observatio n points in the Sudety Mts. reaching several millimetres. However, the results confirm recent mobility of tectonic structures o f this area. Research realised in the Mediterranean Region objects - Gargano, Norcia (Italy) and Kaparelli (Greece) - indicate movements of observation points reaching over a dozen millimetres, particularly on the Gargano area. Continuation of cyclic control measurements on these objects is fully justified ., Stefan Cacoń, Bernard Kontny and Jarosław Bosy., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Prionová onemocnění tvoří skupinu vzácných neurodegenerací. V roce 2001 byla ustanovena Národní referenční laboratoř lidských TSE/CJN při Oddělení patologie a molekulární medicíny, která se zabývá diagnostikou těchto onemocnění v České republice. Za 5 let činnosti bylo v laboratoři vyšetřeno více než 90 zemřelých s podezřením na prionové onemocnění, u 50 z nich byla definitivní diagnóza neuropatologicky potvrzena. Případ nové varianty Creutzfeldtovy-Jakobovy nemoci nebyl v České Republice doposud zaznamenán. Od 1. 1. 2007 probíhá v laboratoři i povinné testování CNS dárců rohovek., Radoslav Matěj, R. Rusina, F. Koukolík, and Lit.: 17
Modified coal tar pitch was prepared by Friedel-Crafts reaction with 9,10-bis(chloromethyl)anthracene (BCMA). With the aid of IR and Raman’s spectroscopy it was found that BCMA reacted completely with aromatic components of pitch. This modification leads to a significant increase of the carbonisation residue of coal tar pitch without the structure of carbonisate being greatly affected., Jaroslava Svítilová, Vladimír Machovič and František Kolář., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The lipophilic cationic radiotracer 99m Tc-sestamibi, known to be concentrated within mitochondria, is widely used for myocardial perfusion and to a lesser extent for muscle metabolism imaging. However, the exact distribution pattern in skeletal muscle has not been yet studied in detail. The present study aims to investigate the 99m Tc-sestamibi uptake in rat skeletal muscle and myocardium in relation to their metabolic characteristics. 99m Tc-sestamibi was i.v. administered in twenty adult male Wistar rats and uptake, as percent of injected dose per tissue gram (%ID/g), in the myocardium, soleus, extensor digitorum longus and gastrocnemius muscles was assessed 2 h after the injection. Muscle uptake was also correlated with myocardial uptake, muscle weight and body weight. Skeletal muscle 99m Tc-sestamibi uptake was a small (9-16 %) fraction of that found in myocardium (1.71 ± 0.63 %ID/g). Among the three hindlimb muscles considered, the slow-oxidative soleus muscle showed the highest uptake (0.28 ± 0.16 %ID/g). Metabolically diverse parts of the gastrocnemius muscle showed different uptake. Skeletal muscle uptake was positively correlated with myocardial uptake and both were negatively correlated with tissue and body weight. Skeletal muscle and myocardium 99m Tc-sestamibi uptake is related to their metabolic profile. Myocardium, with an exceptional rich mitochondrial concentration, shows much higher 99m Tc-sestamibi uptake compared to skeletal muscles. Among muscles, uptake is dependent on their mitochondrial content. Evidence of matching exists between myocardial and muscle uptake, and both are size-dependent., G. Arsos ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The binding of [3H]SCH 23390 has been studied in various brain regions of male mice with the experience of repeated victory (winners) or defeat (losers) gained over 10 (T10) and 20 (T20) days of daily agonistic confrontations. In the frontal cortex, Bmax of [3H]SCH 23390 binding sites was found to be increased in T10 losers and decreased in T20 losers when compared to the control mice. In the striatum, T10 and T20 winners had reduced values of [3H]SCH 23390 binding sites than the ones in the control mice. The Kd was increased in the frontal cortex of T10 losers and T10 winners as well as in the amygdala of T20 losers. Reduced Kd values were found in the striatum of all experimental groups as well as in the amygdala of T20 winners. Thus, both specific changes relating to social behavior patterns and non-specific ones in [3H]SCH 23390 binding were found in the brain regions of mice after 10 and 20 days of intermale confrontations., D. F. Avgustinovich, O. V. Alekseyenko., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The multicoloured Asian ladybird Harmonia axyridis is an invasive insect that can negatively influence biodiversity and human economy in invaded areas. According to the enemy release hypothesis, invasive alien species are often little affected by parasites and other enemies. We studied the prevalence of common parasites of insects infesting and infecting H. axyridis in NW Poland. A large sample of 2351 individuals was collected and divided into two groups: 1180 beetles were dissected and examined for the presence of eugregarines, nematodes and Laboulbeniales fungi, and 751 were checked for phoretic mites. Our results show that H. axyridis is indeed parasitized infrequently. The prevalence of eugregarines and nematodes was very low (1.5% and 0.4%, respectively). No specimens of Laboulbeniales or phoretic mites were found. Our study indicates that in NW Poland H. axyridis is rarely infested or infected by parasites. This paper reports for the first time the infection of H. axyridis by the eugregarine Gregarina barbarara., Kryzstof Dudek, Paweł Sienkiewicz, Dariusz J. Gwiazdowicz, Piotr Tryjanowski., and Obsahuje bibliografii
A thioredoxin-like protein (txl) gene was cloned from the bumblebee, Bombus ignitus. The B. ignitus txl (Bitxl) gene spans 1777 bp and consists of three introns and four exons coding for 285 amino acid residues with a conserved active site (CGPC). The deduced amino acid sequence of the Bitxl cDNA was 65% similar to the Drosophila melanogaster txl. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of Bitxl transcripts in all tissues examined. When H2O2 was injected into the body cavity of B. ignitus workers, Bitxl mRNA expression was up-regulated in the fat body tissue. In addition, the expression levels of Bitxl mRNA in the fat body greatly increased when B. ignitus workers were exposed to low (4°C) or high (37°C) temperatures, or injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which suggests that the Bitxl possibly protects against oxidative stress caused by extreme temperatures and bacterial infection.
Small bowel obstruction is a common clinical problem presenting with abdominal distention, colicky pain, absolute constipation and bilious vomiting. There are numerous causes, most commonly attributed to an incarcerated hernia, adhesions or obstructing mass secondary to malignancy. Here we present an unusual cause of a small bowel obstruction secondary to an incarcerated incisional hernia in association with an acute organoaxial gastric volvulus. and N. R. Kosai, H. S. Gendeh, M. Noorharisman, P. A. Sutton, S. Das
Twenty eight species of winter-active Heleomyzidae were collected during a long-term study in Poland. More than 130 samples of insects, including Heleomyzidae, were collected from the surface of snow in lowland and mountain areas using a semi-quantitative method. Lowland and mountain assemblages of Heleomyzidae recorded on snow were quite different. Heleomyza modesta (Meigen, 1835) and Scoliocentra (Leriola) brachypterna (Loew, 1873) dominated in the mountains, Tephrochlamys rufiventris (Meigen, 1830) mainly in the lowlands and Heteromyza rotundicornis (Zetterstedt, 1846) was common in both habitats. Heleomyzidae were found on snow during the whole period of snow cover, but the catches peaked from late November to the beginning of February. In late winter and early spring the occurrence of heleomyzids on snow decreased. Most individuals were active on snow at air temperatures between -2 and +2.5°C. A checklist of 78 winter active European Heleomyzidae is presented. Helomyza nivalis Wahlgren, 1918 is herein considered as a new junior synonym of Helomyza caesia Meigen, 1830, syn. n., Agnieszka Soszyńska-Maj, Andrzej J. Woźnica., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The meadow spittlebug genus Philaenus (Auchenorrhyncha: Aphrophoridae) is known to display marked colour polymorphism. This study presents the results of a karyotype analysis of P. arslani from Lebanon using conventional chromosome staining, C-banding, fluorescent banding using base-specific fluorochromes (CMA3 and DAPI) and AgNOR-staining. This species has 2n = 18 + neo-XY, and differs from P. spumarius both in the number of chromosomes and sex chromosome system. During meiosis, the neo-XY bivalent is clearly heteromorphic being the largest in the complement. Furthermore, sex chromosomes show marked differences in C-banding pattern. The NOR-bearing chromosomes are the first and one of the middle-sized pairs of autosomes. NORs are G-C rich. Furthermore, some blocks of constitutive heterochromatin on the sex chromosomes are also G-C rich. All other C-bands are DAPI or DAPI/ CMA3 positive, thus containing A-T rich DNA. The significant difference in the karyotype of P. arslani and P. spumarius indicates chromosomal transformations during the evolution of the genus Philaenus.
Reactive hyperemia (RH) in forearm muscle or skin microcirculation has been considered as a surrogate endpoint in clinical studies of cardiovascular disea e. We evaluated two potential confounders that might limit such use of RH, namely laterality of measurement and intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Twenty-three young non-smoking healthy adults were enrolled. In Experiment 1 (n=16), the RH elicited by 3 min of ischemia was recorded in the muscle (strain gauge plethysmography, hand excluded) and skin (laser Doppler imaging) of both forearms. In Experiment 2 (n=7), RH was determined in the dominant forearm only, one hour following oral acetylsalicylic acid (1 g) or placebo. In Experiment 1, peak RH was identical in both forearms, and so were the corresponding durations of responses. RH lasted significantly less in muscle than in skin (p=0.003), a hitherto unrecognized fact. In the skin, acetylsalicylate reduced duration (43 vs. 57.4 s for placebo, p=0.03), without affecting the peak response. In muscle, duration tended to decrease with acetylsalicylate (21.4 vs. 26.0 s with placebo, p=0.06) and the peak increase in blood flow was blunted (27.2 vs. 32.4 ml/min/100 ml tissue with placebo, p=0.003). We conclude that, when using RH as a surrogate endpoint in studies of cardiovascular disease, a confounding by laterality of measurement need not be feared, but NSAIDS may have an influence, although perhaps not on the peak response in the skin., G. Addor, A. Delachaux, B. Dischl, D. Hayoz, L. Liaudet, B. Waeber, F. Feihl., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Members of the clade Trichophora (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha) have trichobothria on their abdominal sterna. There is no comparative study of the fine structure of abdominal trichobothria in the group and until now the trichobothria of their immatures were virtually unknown. The fine structure of the abdominal trichobothrial complex (= the trichobothrium and its associated structures) of adults of 98 species belonging to 25 families in 5 superfamilies and larvae of 7 species belonging to 7 families in 2 superfamilies of Trichophora were examined using scanning electron microscopy. This study indicates that the fine structure of the abdominal trichobothria is very variable and useful for determining evolutionary lineages within the clade. Six types of bothria, three of trichomes and three of microtrichia are recognized and their evolutionary transformations discussed. Changes in the size of trichomes, and density and size of the microtrichia during the postembryonic development of selected species are discussed.
The study aimed to investigate the role of aggression and impulsivity in smoking among male adult students. It was hypothesized that there would be significant difference between smokers and non- smokers on the traits of aggression and impulsivity. The sample of two hundred male adult students was selected from different universities of Islamabad. Two subscales of Impulsiveness and Aggression were administered to measure the personality traits of aggression and impulsivity. Descriptive statistics and t-test was calculated for analysis of data. Results showed that there is significant differences in aggression and impulsivity between smokers and non-smokers. The result can be helpful for psychologist and other professionals to plan public health therapeutic and social reengineering interventions for youth., Uzma Zaidi, and Literatura
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that more recently developed rubber dam systems (OptraDam ® Plus and OptiDam™) are faster and easier to handle, and that the quality of isolation is not decreased. The rubber dam systems were applied in standard conditions on a dental simulator in several model clinical situations. The time of preparation, application and removal were measured and the quality of isolation was evaluated. The median time of rubber dam placement was 51 s (Q1 = 38 s; Q3 = 79 s). The shortest median time of application was with OptiDam™ (42 s), followed by a conventional rubber dam (53 s), and finally the longest was with OptraDam® Plus (58 s). The median volume of fluid remaining in the isolated space after 5 minutes was 9.5 mL (Q1 = 8 mL; Q3 = 10 mL). The largest median volume of remaining water was with OptiDam™ (10 mL), followed by a conventional rubber dam (9.5 mL) and the least with OptraDam® Plus (8.5 mL). The afore-stated hypothesis about the advantages of modern rubber dam isolation systems was accepted for OptiDam™, but rejected for OptraDam® Plus. The results could contribute to decision-making concerning the choice of rubber dam system. and Martin Kapitán, Zdeňka Šustová, Romana Ivančaková, Jakub Suchánek
This paper pursues the effect of changes in distance and vibration frequency on the vibration velocity amplitude. As an example, we used the vibrating sheet piles at the cons truction of a new multi-functional FEI building on the premises of VŠB - TU Ostrava, at 17 listopadu street. The effect of these changes is monitored both in in-situ measurements and in a simulated real-life situation. The calculation software Plaxis 2D is used for creation of numer ical models. At the close, the results from in-situ measurements are confronted with those achieved from the models., Tomáš Petřík, Eva Hrubešová and Markéta Lednická., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
To determine whether PHEMA [poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate)] is suitable for portal vein embolization in patients scheduled to right hepatectomy and whether it is as effective as the currently used agent (a histoacryl/lipiodol mixture). Two groups of nine patients each scheduled for extended right hepatectomy for primary or secondary hepatic tumor, had right portal vein embolization in an effort to induce future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy. One group had embolization with PHEMA, the other one with the histoacryl/lipiodol mixture. In all patients, embolization was performed using the right retrograde transhepatic access. Embolization was technically successful in all 18 patients, with no complication related to the embolization agent. Eight patients of either group developed FLR hypertrophy allowing extended right hepatectomy. Likewise, one patient in each group had recanalization of a portal vein branch. Hist ology showed that both embolization agents reach the periphery of portal vein branches, with PHEMA penetrating somewhat deeper into the periphery. PHEMA has been shown to be an agent suitable for embolization in the portal venous system comparable with existing embolization agent (histoacryl/lipiodol mixture)., J. H. Peregrin, R. Janoušek, D. Kautznerová, M. Oliverius, E. Sticová, M. Přádný, J. Michálek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The relative proportions of free amino acids as well as the amino acid compositions of hydrolysed unprecipitated peptides and hydrolysed whole carcasses were quantified for two aphid species: the gall-dwelling social aphid Pemphigus spyrothecae and the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. The whole-tissue amino acid profiles of the two taxonomically distant species had a surprisingly high level of correspondence. In contrast, when comparing the A. pisum profiles obtained in the current study to those obtained in an earlier study, major differences were identified. It is concluded that there are good prospects for developing an artificial diet for P. spyrothecae. There may also exist considerable scope for tailoring the existing diets of A. pisum to suit specialised populations which develop poorly on the standard diet. The amino acid profile of P. spyrothecae is the first such profile that has been reported for a gall-forming aphid.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of troglitazone (TRO) - a new insulin-sensitizing agent - on some metabolic parameters in an experimental model of hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance, hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats, and to compare its effects with those of vitamin E, an antioxidant agent. Three groups of the above rats were fed diets with a high content of sucrose (70 % of energy as sucrose) for four weeks. The first group was supplemented with TRO (120 mg/kg diet), the second one with vitamin E (500 mg/kg diet), and the third group served as the control. Vitamin E supplementation did not lower serum triglycerides (2.42±0.41 vs. 3.39±0.37 mmol/l, N.S.) while TRO did (1.87±0.24 vs. 3.39±0.37 mmol/l, p<0.01). Neither TRO nor vitamin E influenced the serum levels of free fatty acids (FFA). Both drugs influenced the spectrum of fatty acids in serum phospholipids - TRO increased the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-6 (36.04±1.61 vs. 19.65±1.56 mol %, p<0.001), vitamin E increased the levels of PUFA n-3 (13.30±0.87 vs. 6.79±0.87 mol %, p<0.001) and decreased the levels of saturated fatty acids (32.97±0.58 vs. 51.45±4.01 mol %, p<0.01). In conclusion, TRO lowered the level of serum triglycerides but vitamin E did not have this effect in hypertriglyceridemic rats. Compared with TRO, vitamin E had a different effect on the spectrum of fatty acids in serum phospholipids., Š. Chvojková, L. Kazdová, J. Divišová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim of this study was to compare the isolation systems OptraDam® Plus and OptiDam™ with the conventional rubber dam in terms of objective and subjective parameters. The isolation systems were applied during the dental treatment of the patients. The time of preparation, placement, presence and removal were measured and the quality of isolation was evaluated. The median time of rubber dam placement was 76 s (Q1=62 s; Q3=111.25 s). The application time of OptraDam® Plus was significantly longer compared to the other systems (P ® plus. The results presented in this study could guide clinicians for choosing the most appropriate isolation system. and M. Kapitán, T. Suchánková Kleplová, J. Suchánek
Sampling of insect communities is very challenging and for reliable interpretation of results the effects of different sampling protocols and data processing on the results need to be fully understood. We compared three different commonly used methods for sampling forest beetles, freely hanging flight-intercept (window) traps (FWT), flight-intercept traps attached to trunks (TWT) and pitfall traps placed in the ground (PFT), in Scots pine dominated boreal forests in eastern Finland. Using altogether 960 traps, forming 576 sub-samples, at 24 study sites, 59760 beetles belonging to 814 species were collected over a period of a month. All of the material was identified to species, with the exception of a few species pairs, to obtain representative data for analyses. Four partly overlapping groups were used in the analyses: (1) all, (2) saproxylic, (3) rare and (4) red-listed species. In terms of the number of species collected TWTs were the most effective for all species groups and the rarer species the species group composed of (groups 1-2-3-4) the larger were the differences between the trap types. In particular, the TWTs caught most red-listed species. However, when sample sizes were standardized FWTs and TWTs caught similar number of species of all species groups. PFTs caught fewer species of all species groups, whether the sample sizes were standardized or not. In boreal forests they seem to be unsuitable for sampling saproxylic, rare and red-listed species. However, the PFTs clearly sampled different parts of species assemblages than the window traps and can be considered as a supplementary method. The abundance distribution of saproxylic species was truncated lognormal in TWT and pooled material, whereas unclassified material failed to reveal lognormal distribution in all the trap types and pooled material. The results show that even in boreal forests sample sizes of at least thousands, preferably tens of thousands of individuals, collected by a high number of traps are needed for community level studies. Relevant ecological classification of material is also very important for reliable comparisons. Differences in the performance of trap types should be considered when designing a study, and in particular when evaluating the results.
The chromosome complements of thirteen species of the planthopper family Dictyopharidae are described and illustrated. For each species, the structure of testes and, on occasion, ovaries is additionally outlined in terms of the number of seminal follicles and ovarioles. The data presented cover the tribes Nersiini, Scoloptini and Dictyopharini of the subfamily Dictyopharinae and the tribes Ranissini, Almanini, and Orgeriini of the Orgeriinae. The data on the tribes Nersiini and Orgeriini are provided for the first time. Males of Hyalodictyon taurinum and Trimedia cf. viridata (Nersiini) have 2n = 26 + X; Scolops viridis, S. sulcipes, and S. abnormis (Scoloptini) 2n = 36 + X; Callodictya krueperi (Dictyopharini) 2n = 26 + X; Ranissus edirneus and Schizorgerius scytha (Ranissini) 2n = 26 + X. Males of Almana longipes and Bursinia cf. genei (Almanini) have 2n = 26 + X and 2n = 24 + XY, respectively. The latter chromosome complement was not recorded previously for the tribe Almanini. Males of Orgerius ventosus and Deserta cf. bipunctata (Orgeriini) have 2n = 26 + X. The testes of males of A. longipes and B. cf. genei each have 4 seminal follicles, which is characteristic of the tribe Almanini. Males of all other species have 6 follicles per testis. When the ovaries of a species were also studied, the number of ovarioles was coincident with that of seminal follicles. For comparison, Capocles podlipaevi (2n = 24 + X and 6 follicles per testis in males) from the Fulgoridae, the sister family to Dictyopharidae, was also studied. We supplemented all the data obtained with our earlier observations on Dictyopharidae. The chromosomal complement of 2n = 28 + X or that of 2n = 26 + X and 6 follicles per testis are suggested to be the ancestral condition among Dictyopharidae, from which taxa with various chromosome numbers and testes each with 4 follicles have differentiated.
A cutaneous horn is a general name for cornified material protruding from skin. On the other hand, polydactyly is a common congenital anomaly of the hand and foot which is characterized by extra finger or toe. A cutaneous horn might mimick polydactyly by resembling an extra toe. Hereby, we present a 72-year-old white Caucasian male with an extra toe-like projection on his fourth toe. Initially, polydactyly was suspected, however a cutaneous horn was also considered. The lesion was surgically removed. The histopathological examination of the specimen revealed hyperkeratosis, and thus confirmed the lesion to be a cutaneous horn., Funda Tamer, Mehmet Eren Yuksel, and Literatura
The correlation between baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and the spectrum component at a frequency of 0.1 Hz of pulse intervals (PI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) was studied. SBP and PI of 51 subjects were recorded beat-to-beat at rest (3 min), during exercise (0.5 W/kg of body weight, 9 min), and at rest (6 min) after exercise. BRS was determined by a spectral method (a modified alpha index technique). The subjects were divided into groups according to the spectral amplitude of SBP at a frequency of 0.1 Hz. The following limits of amplitude (in mm Hg) were used: very high ≥ 5.4 (VH); high 5.4 > H ≥ 3 (H); medium 3 > M ≥ 2 (M), low < 2 (L). We analyzed the relationships between 0.1 Hz variability in PI and BRS at rest, during the exercise and during recovery in subgroups VH, H, M, L. The 0.1 Hz variability of PI increased significantly with increasing BRS in each of the groups with identical 0.1 Hz variability in SBP. This relationship was shifted to the lower values of PI variability at the same BRS with a decrease in SBP variability. The primary SBP variability increased during exercise. The interrelationship between the variability of SBP, PI and BRS was identical at rest and during exercise. A causal interrelationship between the 0.1 Hz variability of SBP and PI, and BRS was shown. During exercise, the increasing primary variability in SBP due to sympathetic activation was present, but it did not change the relationship between variability in pulse intervals and BRS., N. Honzíková, A. Krtička, Z. Nováková, E. Závodná., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The antipyretic effect of AVP, α-MSH and ACTH consists in lowering the thrmoregulatory threshold and in shortening the time span of the fever. Thus, neuropeptides influence activity of hypothalamic neurones regulating body temperature. This was confirmed by recent experiments of Moravec (this volume) which indicate that spontaneous activity and thermosensitivity of neurones in hypothalamic slices can be influenced, by AVP. Why neuropeptides of different chemical structure such as AVT, on one hand, and α-MSH and ACTH, on the other hand, induce the same effect on thermoregulation remains to be elucidated.
The absolute gravity measurements are an important tool for reliable monitoring geodynamic phenomena. Based on the experience with the absolute gravimeter FG5#215 (gravimeter of the Center for Earth Dynamics Research), the accuracy of FG5 absolute gravimeters is presented in this study. The instrumental reproducibility of this meter is characterized by the value of 0.7 μGal. Discussed are important environmental effects on gravity measurements, such as atmospheric and hydrological effects, understanding of which is necessary for correct and reliable interpretation of the repeated absolute gravity measurements in geodynamics., Vojtech Pálinkáš, Jakub Kostelecký and Jaroslav Šimek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
† Pyrenicocephalus jarzembowskii, gen. et sp. n. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Enicocephalomorpha: Enicocephalidae: Enicocephalinae) from Early Eocene, London Clay, England, Isle of Sheppey, is described and illustrated according to the unique pyritized adult head reported as a larval enicocephalid head by Jarzembowski (1986). The head anatomy of similar and related genera of Enicocephalinae is compared and the close relationship of the new genus to a clade including the extant genera Oncylocotis, Embolorrhinus and Hoplitocoris is suggested, most probably as the sister genus to Hoplitocoris (presently with Afrotropical, East Palaearctic and Oriental range).
A general model of the Dolichopoda cave cricket life cycle was produced using RAMAS/stage simulations based on the Beverton & Holt recruitment function. The model indicates the main population parameters responsible for life cycle adjustments to ecologically different cave habitats. The lack of a uniform rate of oviposition throughout adult life, combined with egg and nymphal diapause, results in regular population growth characterized by adults emerging every two years and cohorts overlapping every other year. This pattern is common in populations living in artificial caves where the scarcity of food is likely to favour individuals that synchronise their activity with the seasonal variations in the epigean habitat. In contrast, a uniform rate of oviposition throughout adult life and no egg or nymphal diapause results in a continuous reproductive activity, and the occurrence of adults all the year round. In this case, it was not possible to distinguish between cohorts. This pattern is well represented in populations inhabiting natural caves with stable food resources. The availability of data for a population that resulted from an experimental colonization allowed us to test this model.
Nevus lipomatosus superficialis is a rare hamartomatous malformation which is composed of ectopic adipocytes in the dermis. It was first reported in 1921 by Hoffmann and Zurhelle. Two clinical forms of nevus lipomatosus superficialis have been described: classical (multiple) and solitary. Classical form of nevus lipomatosus superficialis is usually found on pelvic girdle, trunk, buttocks and thighs as soft, skin colored papules or nodules. It is usually present at birth or it appears in the first two decades of life. The solitary form of lipomatosus superficialis appears as a solitary papule or nodule on the back, scalp and arms of the patients with late onset. The lesions are usually asymptomatic, however some patients may complain about pain and itching. Malignant transformation of nevus lipomatosis superficialis has not been reported yet. Therefore, surgical intervention is only necessary for the patients who have cosmetic concerns. Recurrence after surgical removal is very rare. Perineum is an uncommon localization for nevus lipomatosus superficialis. Hereby, we report a 55-year-old Caucasian female with a 6x5,5x4 cm mass in the perineal region. The patient had cosmetic concerns, therefore she wanted the lesion to be removed surgically. The lesion was surgically removed. The histopathological evaluation of the specimen revealed nevus lipomatosus superficialis. A solitary type of giant nevus lipomatosus superficialis in the perineal region of a patient over the age of 50 is a very rare condition. Even rarely seen, nevus lipomatosus superficialis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of perineal masses., Funda Tamer, Mehmet Eren Yuksel, and Literatura
A gut-specific chitinase gene was cloned from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari. The A. germari chitinase (AgChi) gene spans 2894 bp and consists of five introns and six exons coding for 390 amino acid residues. AgChi possesses the chitinase family 18 active site signature and three N-glycosylation sites. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA suggests that AgChi is a single copy gene. The AgChi cDNA was expressed as a 46-kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells and the recombinant AgChi showed activity in a chitinase enzyme assay. Treatment of recombinant virus-infected Sf9 cells with tunicamycin, a specific inhibitor of N-linked glycosylation, revealed that AgChi is N-glycosylated, but the carbohydrate moieties are not essential for chitinolytic activity. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that AgChi was specifically expressed in the gut; AgChi was expressed in three gut regions, indicating that the gut is the prime site for AgChi synthesis in A. germari larvae.
As part of a search for natural enemies of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), virus-infected samples were collected near Toulouse, France. Light and electron microscope studies confirmed that the French strain is a multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (MNPV). In vivo bioassays using the New Jersey strain of L. dispar, and comparing L. dispar MNPV (LdMNPV) strains from France, North America and Korea, showed that the French strain was the least active, whereas the North American strain had the highest activity. The viral efficacy of all strains was enhanced 200 to 1300-fold in the presence of 1% fluorescent brightener. The enhancement was highest in the American strain and lowest in the French strain. French LdMNPV (LdMNPVF) DNA cut with four restriction enzymes (BamHI, EcoRI, HindIII, and NotI) revealed minor fragment size differences, but many similarities when compared to the North American and the Korean strain. PCR amplification of a LdMNPV early gene (G22) was detected in the North American and the Korean strain, but not in the French strain.
We present the results of the first study on the karyotypes of four European species of Roncus: Roncus alpinus L. Koch, 1873, Roncus lubricus L. Koch, 1873, Roncus transsilvanicus Beier, 1928 and Roncus sp. The diploid number was 2n = 23 in Roncus sp., 2n = 43 in R. alpinus and R. transsilvanicus and 2n = 45 in R. lubricus. Telocentric autosomes predominate in species with a high chromosome number and metacentric autosomes in Roncus sp. We assume that the ancestral situation for this genus is a high number of chromosomes. A low number of chromosomes is very likely a consequence of centric fusions, which have possibly played a very important role in karyotype evolution in the genus Roncus. All the species analyzed have the X0 sex chromosome system. The X chromosome is metacentric and is the smallest element in the karyotypes of all the species analyzed., František Šťáhlavský, Jana Christophoryova, Hans Henderickx., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The karyotypes of pseudoscorpions of three families, Geogarypidae, Garypinidae and Olpiidae (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones), were studied for the first time. Three species of the genus Geogarypus from the family Geogarypidae and 10 species belonging to 8 genera from the family Olpiidae were studied. In the genus Geogarypus the diploid chromosome numbers of males range from 15 to 23. In the family Olpiidae the male chromosome numbers vary greatly, from 7 to 23. The male karyotype of single studied member of the family Garypinidae, Garypinus dimidiatus, is composed of 33 chromosomes. It is proposed that the karyotype evolution of the families Geogarypidae and Olpiidae was characterised by a substantial decrease of chromosome numbers. The diploid numbers of some olpiids are the lowest known 2n within pseudoscorpions and even one of the lowest within the class Arachnida. In spite of a considerable reduction of diploid numbers, all species studied possess a X0 sex chromosome system that is widespread and probably ancestral in pseudoscorpions. Moreover, X chromosomes retain conservative metacentric morphology in the majority of species. During the first meiotic division of males, a high number of chiasmata were observed in some species, up to five per bivalent in Indolpium sp. The transient stage between pachytene and diplotene is typically characterised by extensive decondensation of chromatin in males of geogarypids and in Calocheiridius libanoticus, and we interpret this as a diffuse stage. This is recorded in pseudoscorpions for the first time. The relationships between some species belonging to the family Olpiidae are discussed based on the data obtained.
Functioning of plant-aphid-natural enemy interactions may be associated with the structure and composition of withinfield vegetation, neighborhood fields and field borders, and the regional plant community of cropped and noncropped areas. Farmand region-scale vegetation in the wheat-growing area of the North American Great Plains was hypothesized to effect the abundance of two hymenopteran parasitoids, that differ in physiological and behavioral attributes, of the key pest aphid of wheat, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko). The parasitoids had greater sensitivity to farm-scale vegetation (wheat strip rotation with or without spring-sown sunflower) than region-scale vegetation (degree of diversification with other crops and wheat fields converted to conservation grasslands). A two-way factorial design of scale (farm- and region-scale) revealed that parasitoid abundance in grass-dominant (homogeneous) areas especially benefited from adding sunflower to the wheat-fallow strip crop rotation. Considerable sensitivity of the analysis was added when adjusting for seasonality of vegetation, revealing that the region-scale effects were most prominent late season. From a management viewpoint, adding sunflower into the wheat production system, especially in relatively homogeneous vegetation regions, tends to promote local parasitoid populations during the summer when spring-sown plants are maturing and wheat is not in cultivation. Contrasting results for A. albipodus and L. testaceipes were consistent with expectations based on behavioral and physiological attributes of the two aphid parasitoid families they represent. Still, the general management interpretation seems robust for the two parasitoids and has relevance to both farm- and region-scale management schemes that are occurring in the wheat production zone of North American Great Plains.
The Northern pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pinivora (Treitschke, 1834) shows a highly scattered distribution with fragmented populations across Europe. A previous study exploring the postglacial history of T. pinivora defined it as a cold-tolerant relict species and concluded that a progressive reduction of suitable habitats after the postglacial expansion from refugia in the southern Iberian peninsula best explained the distribution and genetic structure of populations of this species. However, recent records, both by us and others, challenge this view. Surprisingly, some of the newly found populations from southern Spain use black pine, Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold as a host plant despite the fact that the typical host of the species, Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L. occurs in the area. We provide genetic data for one of these recently found southern populations where the larvae feed on P. nigra, and compare this with previously published data on individuals collected on P. sylvestris. This data reveals that populations from different host trees are no more genetically differentiated than populations sharing the same host plant. The findings of a wider diet breadth open the way to widen the search for the still unidentified glacial refugium of T. pinivora, and as such may contribute to a better understanding about how the species has spread across Europe., José A. Hódar, Anna Cassel-Lundhagen, Andrea Battisti, Stig Larsson., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Short-winged (brachypterous) and long-winged (macropterous) adult females of Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) originating from a Mediterranean population (Israel) were analyzed for their adipokinetic responses. The adipokinetic response, expressed as an increase of haemolymph lipids after injection of adipokinetic hormone from Locusta migratoria (Lom-AKH-I), was assessed in relation to age and dose of the hormone. We demonstrate in this study that the adipokinetic responses induced by bug's corpora cardiaca extract and Lom-AKH-I were dose-dependent for both brachypterous and macropterous females. Significant differences between the morphs were recorded for doses >= 0.25 corpora cardiaca equivalent (P < 0.01) and doses >= 0.25 pmol Lom-AKH-I (P < 0.05). The haemolymph lipid elevations induced in both morphs by 2 pmols Lom-AKH-I are comparable with that induced by crude extract of one pair of the bug's own corpora cardiaca. The age-dependent test showed much higher adipokinetic responses (P < 0.01) in macropterous females (>= 5 days old) than in the brachypterous females of the same age, when treated with 2 pmols Lom-AKH-I. Starting from day 7, the concentration of haemolymph lipids was also considerably higher (2.5-5 times) in macropterous females than in the brachypterous ones. The obtained data indicate that difference in mobilization of lipids between brachypterous and macropterous females is a geographically independent feature and represents a true wing morph characteristic of P. apterus., Dalibor Kodrík, Radomír Socha, and Lit
When measuring cell membrane electrical capacitance in whole cell configuration using alternating currents, the resolution decreases with increasing membrane conductance and pipette resistance. Improved resolution was attained by the dual-frequency method which was modified as to control the voltage amplitude of one of the measuring frequencies. A model circuit was developed for the verification of the method. This circuit allows measurement of calibrated capacitance changes even in the range of 5 to 20 fF. Moreover, the method was applied to capacitance measurements on pancreatic exocrine acinar cells. The results of measurements on the model as well as on pancreatic acinar cells are presented. The principle can also be applied to other hardware and software methods for measuring electrical cell membrane parameters.
A system for the evaluation of temperature changes in living tissue at a dimensional level of a single cell is described. A glass micropipette the tip of which is filled with semiconducting glass (Rech et al. 1992), is used as a microsensor. The changes of conductivity of the sensor due to variations of temperature are evaluated by electronic circuitry based on the measurement of an AC current of sinusoidal waveform flowing through the sensor. Temperature changes in the range of 0.01 K can be detected in this way.
In Czech and Polish underground hard coal mines of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin high-energy seismic phenomena are periodically recorded, the sources of which are located ahead of the longwall. Generally, these types of tremors are rooted in very strong, thick layers of sandstone, which are subject to the deformation border. The consequences are discontinuities and cracks with a range depending on the mechanical properties of destroyed rocks: the mechanical parameters of layers. Forecasting methods, developed in the Central Mining Institute, for stress concentration, seismic energy, fault zone and range, together with methods of rock fracturing using liquid or explosives, ,allow precise identification of suitable locations for controlled fracturing of rock mass with a pre-established direction. The size and range of discontinuities have an impact on mining parameters, dependent on basic exploitation intensity and expressed by the average daily progress of the longwall face. The rockmass is locally weakened because of exploitation or technical measures of discontinuities in the roof-rock on the longwall face. To prevent rockburst, measures are needed to reduce the amount of energy accumulating in the rockmass in the area of the longwall face. Knowledge of where stress is concentrated is extremely important for the development and implementation of effective preventative methods. For many years several research centres have been working on defining the range of these areas. In this paper, basic information is presented on methods developed by Central Mining Institute and used in Polish hard coal mines for forecasting energy concentration and assessing how it can be reduced., Jan Drzewiecki and Janusz Makówka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
A new approach to computer modelling of neuronal stochastic activity is described. The output dynamic activity which depends on the types and the number of input synapses, weights of the synaptic efficacy, the absolute refractory phase duration and threshold level is evaluated on this model in some types of Gaussian input processes. The behaviour of this model for one excitatory and one inhibitory synapse is described in dependence on the changes of excitation weight. The neuronal behaviour presented depends on the number of interspike intervals and the excitation weight and interspike interval density distribution. A novel concept of the e-curve is being introduced, which shows the dependence of the number of output interspike intervals on the weight of excitation on a stable inhibition level, the absolute refractory phase value and the threshold level. The properties of e-curves are discussed. Furthermore, examples of transformations of input stochastic processes are mentioned from the aspect of density distribution changes of interspike intervals.
A modified method for clearing, staining and mounting plant-inhabiting mites is proposed. With this method, all mites can be cleared with a single agent and mounted in a single medium. The stain added to the mounting medium enhances the clarity of the fine structures of soft-bodied mites under phase contrast and more significantly under bright field microscopy.
The phylogenetic relationships of the subgenera Polyommatus and Plebicula, within the Palaearctic butterfly genus Polyommatus, were inferred from a combined analysis of the nuclear marker ITS2 and the barcoding section of the mitochondrial gene COI. Eight major clades were recovered within Polyommatus s. l., which correspond closely to subgenera based on traditional systematics and are of late Pliocene to early Pleistocene origin. Extraordinary chromosomal evolution occurred independently in three of these clades. The disputed position of several species formerly placed in the subgenus Plebicula is clarified. A group of Central Asian species (Bryna) was recovered as a monophyletic clade within Polyommatus s. str. The Kurdistanian endemic P. buzulmavi appears as a sister species to P. icarus. P. celina replaces P. icarus in NW Africa and the Canary Islands, and split from the last common ancestor with P. icarus back in the early Pleistocene.
Uric acid is the final product of human purine metabolism. It was pointed out that this compound acts as an antioxidant and is able to react with reactive oxygen species forming allantoin. Therefore, the measurement of allantoin levels may be used for the determination of oxidative stress in humans. The aim of the study was to clarify the antioxidant effect of uric acid during intense exercise. Whole blood samples were obtained from a group of healthy subjects. Allantoin, uric acid, and malondialdehyde levels in plasma and erythrocytes were measured using a HPLC with UV/Vis detection. Statistical significant differences in allantoin and uric acid levels during short-term intense exercise were found. Immediately after intense exercise, the plasma allantoin levels increased on the average of 200 % in comparison to baseline. Plasma uric acid levels increased slowly, at an average of 20 %. On the other hand, there were no significant changes in plasma malondialdehyde. The results suggest that uric acid, important antioxidant, is probably oxidized by reactive oxygen species to allantoin. Therefore allantoin may be suitable candidate for a marker of acute oxidative stress., R. Kanďár, X. Štramová, P. Drábková, J. Křenková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The anadromous Rutilus kutum Kamenskii, 1901is the most important fish in north of Iran with the highest economic value. Ignoring the natural process of reproduction due artificial propagation, catching some migrating broodstocks from the sea (not from the estuaries) and mixing the produced fingerlings in culture ponds within restocking programs in the last 30 years have caused an uncertainty about homing success and population differentiation in the fish. A 13-landmark morphometric truss network system was used to investigate the hypothesis of homeward migration success and population differentiation, while the previous studies revealed low genetic variability among the fish populations. A total of 504 adult specimens were caught from four localities along the southern Caspian Sea in the reproductive period. Univariate analysis of variance showed significant differences among the four groups for 78 standardized morphometric measurements. In linear discriminant function analysis (DFA), the overall assignments of individuals into their original groups were 73.3 % and 80.3 % in males and females, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering analysis based on Euclidean square distances showed that the 504 examined specimens grouped into distinct areas. The results showed that each sampling site represents independent population which confirmed the success of homeward migration. The high grouping ranges suggests that almost all populations return to their birthplace river to breed, which results in high inbreeding. The results can be interesting for management and conservation programs of this valuable species in the Caspian Sea.
Estimating the pre- failure points for rocks during laboratory testing is not a trivial task. In this study, a new approach is introduced that utilizes change in the slope of the load-deformation curves of rock in the loading cycle for marking the onset of failure point during uniaxial test of a given rock. At each step, load-deformation data footprints of the rock under test are inspected and a decision is made whether the failure has started or not. The load-deformation data obtained from different tests of different rocks are examined including; Norite, Granite, Limestone, Sandstone, Siltstone and Marble. The computational results over 154 cored rock samples show that the proposed approach locates the onset of failure point for a given rock with an acceptable degree of accuracy., Deniz Mamurekli., and Obsahuje bibliografii
There is increasing evidence that dietary saturated fatty acids (SAFA) have not only an indirect atherogenic effect due to increasing LDL-cholesterol concentration but also a direct effect by activating the inflammation process. This review summarizes several recent publications in this field. The effect of SAFA on the inflammation process mediated by Toll-like receptor 4/NF-κB pathway has been well documented in various in vitro culture studies of macrophages and adipocytes or in their co-culture. In contrast to these in vitro data, in vivo epidemiological studies or clinical experiments in men are less consistent. Well controlled cross-over studies in volunteers might enlighten the differences between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids dietary intake and proatherogenic inflammation effects., R. Poledne., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
A quantitatively new analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module has been developed during 2010, in co-operation with Tedia Ltd. The module has a 28-bit final resolution and uses 32-bit arithmetic. There are two versions, with four and twelve analog inputs. The 4-input module replaces the original 21-bit version, produced until 2009. The 12-input module is intended to be deployed in small-aperture seismic arrays. The whole set consists of four 3-channel detached modules that can be interconnected with the main module using a cable of up to 100 m in length. This design increases signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by placing the A/D part as close to the seismograph as possible in order to transmit digital data for storage. All channels are sampled coherently so that all four sensors are automatically synchronised. It allows the detection of local events even though the sync-signal is absent. In other words, the 12-input module is suitable for ad-hoc field measurements even in places where there is no GPS signal. All arrays operated by the Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics (IRSM) are going to be upgraded to use these modules and some new sites will also be set-up with this innovative equipment (e.g. Lazy in Western Bohemia and Dobrá Voda in Slovakia)., Milan Brož and Jaroslav Štrunc., and Obsahuje bibliografii
One new genus and seven new species of Phoridae (Diptera) are described from Bialowieska Forest in Poland, namely Poloniphora Disney & Durska gen, n. with the species P. bialoviensis Disney sp. n., Megaselia henrydisneyi Durska sp. n., M. joannae Disney sp. n., M. marekdurskii Disney sp. n., M. teresamajewskae Disney sp. n.: M. trojani Disney sp. n., Phora michali Disney sp. n., The new genus shows affinity with Australasian genera, Beckerina Malloch and Eocene fossils erroneously assigned to Megaselia in the past.
One new genus and nine new species of Staphylinidae are described from Baltic amber, namely Palaeosepedophilus gen.n. and the species P. succinicus sp.n., Lathrobium balticum sp.n., Lathrobium succini sp.n., Lathrobium ambricum sp.n., Lathrobium jantaricum sp.n., Sepedophilus balticus sp.n., Dictyon antiquus sp.n., Phymatura electrica sp.n., Aleochara baltica sp.n. Their affinity with related species is discussed.
New palaeodictyopterid Paraostrava stanislavi gen. n., sp. n. is described from the Upper Carboniferous (Duckmantian) deposits of the Jan Šverma Mine in northern Bohemia (Czech Republic). The new taxon based on hindwing venation is attributed to Homoiopteridae and compared with the other homoiopterid and heolid genera within Homoiopteroidea. Due to the poor state preservation of Boltopruvostia robusta, we consider this taxon as Palaeodictyoptera: Homoiopteridae of uncertain position and restore the well defined genus Ostrava Kukalová, 1960 (type species Ostrava nigra Kukalová, 1960). Some uncertainties in the current state of knowledge on the taxonomy and phylogeny of the Homoiopteridae are pointed out. The characters matrix used to separate the genera of Homoiopteroidea is included.
A new genus and new species, Angulonotus grisescens, is described from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and its taxonomic placement within the tribe Orthotylini is discussed. Illustrations of male and female genitalia, micrographs of selected characters, photographs of dorsal habitus, hosts and distributional records of this new taxon are provided. Comparisons are made with species of the genus Hyoidea Reuter, 1876., Alexander A. Knyshov, Fedor V. Konstantinov., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Zygokaratawia reni, a new campterophlebiid genus and species is described from the Middle Jurassic of China. This fossil has a wing shape unique for this clade, i.e. a fore- and hind wing of the same width and very shortly petiolated, and hind wing cubito-anal area nearly as narrow as that of the forewing. This wing shape is convergently similar to that of recent Zygoptera: Calopterygidae, as well as to several other Cenozoic zygopteran clades, suggesting similar styles of flight and habits, i.e. predation on small insects and flight along trees of river banks.
A new genus and species of "libelluloid" dragonfly, Jujusia maizgorda gen. n., sp. n., of the clade Italoansida Bechly, 1996, from the late Paleocene, Maíz Gordo Formation, north-western Argentina, is described. Its phylogenetic relationships within the clade Cavilabiata Bechly, 1996 are discussed.
A design of a newly developed metal pipe-type trap for catching live mole rats is presented. In all field trials the trap was efficient and thus meaningful alternative to other types of live traps. This trap may prove to be useful also to catching the other subterranean mammal species.