In this report we propose a new recursive matrix formulation of limited memory variable metric methods. This approach can be used for an arbitrary update from the Broyden class (and some other updates) and also for the approximation of both the Hessian matrix and its inverse. The new recursive formulation requires approximately 4mn multiplications and additions per iteration, so it is comparable with other efficient limited memory variable metric methods. Numerical experiments concerning Algorithm 1, proposed in this report, confirm its practical efficiency.
We tested the hypothesis considering the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT), L-triiodothyronine (L-T3) uptake into erythrocytes, and the role of membrane lipids in the development and treatment of affective disorders. Changes in kinetic parameters (Vmax, maximal velocity and KM, apparent Michaelis constant) of L-T3 uptake into red blood cells (RBCs) and changes in membrane fluidity in a group of 24 patients with major depression were measured before treatment and after 1 month of treatment with citalopram. Parameters Vmax and KM, as well as membrane microviscosity, were significantly increased in depressed patients both before and after treatment in comparison with healthy subjects. We concluded that the function of the membrane transporter for L-T3 in RBC is changed in depression. This change is probably connected with alteration of membrane fluidity and/or transporter–lipid interactions. We did not find any normalization of the measured parameters after 1 month of treatment. The results show the importance of composition and physical properties of the lipid bilayer for transmembrane transport of L-T3 and support the hypothesis that the HPT axis is in depression.
Our previous studies concerning the role of furosemide-resistant cation leaks in genetic hypertension demonstrated that blood pressure of recombinant inbred strains (derived from F2 hybrids of spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive Brown Norway rats) cosegregated with inward Na4 leak (determined in saline medium) but not with Na4" efflux (measured in Mg2+-sucrose medium) or with Rb+ uptake (found in either medium). In the present study the alterations of particular components of ouabain-resistant (OR) Na+ and K4 (Rb+) transport in erythrocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were analyzed using saline and Na + -free (Mg24-sucrose or choline) incubation media. OR Na+ net uptake was elevated in SHR as compared to both normotensive strains — Brown Norway and Wistar rats. This was mainly due to an increased bumetanide- resistant (BR) Na4 inward leak. On the other hand, Wistar rats did not differ significantly from SHR in either OR Na4 efflux or OR Rb4 uptakes. Major augmentations of BR Na4 efflux and BR Rb4 uptake in SHR erythrocytes were seen not only in Mg24-sucrose medium but also in choline medium. In both Na4-free media there was a considerable saturable Na4¡-dependent component of BR Na4 and Rb4 fluxes which was more pronounced in SHR than in BN erythrocytes. A great caution is required for the interpretation of the data on "increased passive membrane permeability" obtained in SHR erythrocytes incubated in Na4-free media because of the presence of this saturable component which seems to be related to incompletely inhibited Na4-K4 pump. It can be concluded on the basis of BR fluxes seen in erythrocytes incubated in saline media which probably reflect true cation leaks that passive membrane permeability of SHR erythrocytes is increased for Na4 but not for Rb4(K+).
The diet composition of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) was studied from October 2001 to November 2002 in the floodplain forest along the Morava River by the microscopic analysis of 310 red deer pellets. The shoots of broadleaved trees formed the main component of red deer diet throughout the year, 71 % of volume on the average. The trophic diversity was the highest at the end of summer and in autumn, when red deer consumed in more fruits, forbs, grasses and also the crops on fields near the forest, e.g. maize. The majority of the diet originated from the forest, whereas fields were visited only at the end of summer and in autumn. Additional feeding during winter does not play an important role in the diet of red deer. The analysis of feeding behaviour showed that in the floodplain forest red deer were browse specialists in all seasons of the year. Other food sources were less important.
Four lamprey species and 55 fish species are considered autochthonous taxa in the Czech Republic. In recent years, as a result of spontaneous migrations, the native ichthyofauna has been increased by three species Sander volgensis, Gymnocephalus baloni, Proterorhinus marmoratus) which, in view of their autochthonous occurrence in the Central European region, are evaluated as native. At present, according to the criteria of the IUCN (2001) version 3.1, two lamprey species and 6 fish species are evaluated as “regionally extinct”. Most of these taxons are denoted as anadromous. One species has been classified in the category “Extinct in the wild”. Two lamprey species and 25 fish species are considered to be endangered to various extent: one lamprey species and 10 fish species are classified as “Critically endangered”; one lamprey species and 5 fish species as “Endangered”; ten fish species as “Vulnerable”. In the course of the past two centuries, attempts have been made at introducing about 30 fish species (see Lusk et al. 1998, Hanel 2003); of these, the introduction of 11 species can be evaluated as successful. Only four non-native species have established stable and naturally reproducing populations in natural conditions (Pseudorasbora parva, Carassius auratus, Ameiurus nebulosus, Gasterosteus aculeatus).
Red palm oil (RPO) is a rich natural source of antioxidant vitamins, namely carotenes, tocopherols and tocotrienols. However, it contains approximately 50 % saturated fatty acids the regular consumption of which could negatively modify lipid profile. The aim of our study was to test whether 7 weeks of RPO supplementation (1 g/kg body weight/day) would affect blood glucose and lipid metabolism in adult male Wistar rats with altered thyroid status. We induced hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in rats by oral administration of either methimazole or mixture of thyroid hormones. Different thyroid status (EU - euthyroid, HY - hypothyroid and HT - hyperthyroid) was characterized by different serum thyroid hormones levels (total and free thyroxine and triiodothyronine), changes in the activity of a marker enzyme of thyroid status - liver mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and altered absolute and relative heart weights. Fasting blood glucose levels were higher in HT rats in comparison with EU and HY rats, but the changes caused by RPO supplementation were not significant. The achievement of the HY status significantly increased serum levels of total cholesterol, as well as with high-density lipoproteincholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol: 2.43±0.15, 1.48±0.09, 0.89±0.08 mmol/l, compared to EU: 1.14±0.06, 0.77±0.06, 0.34±0.05 mmol/l and HT: 1.01±0.06, 0.69±0.04, 0.20±0.03 mmol/l, respectively. RPO supplementation did not increase significantly levels of blood lipids but tended to increase glutathione levels in the liver. In conclusion, RPO supplementation did not induce the presumed deterioration of glucose and lipid metabolism in rats with three well-characterized alterations in thyroid status., H. Rauchová, M. Vokurková, S. Pavelka, I. Vaněčková, N. Tribulová, T. Soukup., and Seznam literatury
Increased amount of collagen type I and decreased amount of type III is described in various pathological processes in the vascular wall. Polyphenols were shown to have protective effect on endothelium, decrease blood pressure and prevent oxidative damage induced by various stimuli. Tetrachlormethane (CCl4) is a toxic substance with known negative systemic effects induced by free radicals. Chronic administration of CCl4 for 12 weeks led to an increase of collagen type I and a decrease of type III in the wall of aorta. Parallel administration of red wine polyphenols significantly reduced the increase of collagen type I, at the same time the content of type III rose to the level above controls. After 4 weeks of spontaneous recovery no changes were observed. If polyphenols were administered during the recovery period, there was a decrease of type I and an increase of type III collagen content in the aorta. It can be concluded that polyphenols have a tendency to lower the amount of type I and to increase the proportion of type III collagen in the wall of the aorta. These changes are significant in prevention or in regression of changes induced by chronic oxidative stress. This effect of polyphenols is most likely the result of their influence on MMP-1 and TIMP activities through which they positively influence the collagen types I and III content ratio in the vascular wall in favor of the type III collagen., L. Hlavačková ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury