Antiparasitic allogrooming in two adults of Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) was observed in the Javorie Mountains in Slovakia on 18th April 2016. This rare observation was documented by photographs and video. In this context, the occurrence of ticks on Red Foxes and in fox faeces in Europe is briefly reviewed and discussed. and Ivan Literák.
During vertebrate evolution, structural changes in red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb), have probably resulted in the importance of blood carbon dioxide transport. The chloride/bicarbonate exchange across the RBC membrane, which is an integral part of the blood CO2 transport process in vertebrates, has been examined on two different species of teleost fish, Euthynnus alletteratus and Thunnus thynnus, at several oxygenation states of erythrocyte HOS (high-oxygenation state, about 90 % of saturation) and LOS (low-oxygenation state, about 15 % of saturation). The results were compared with those observed in human RBC under the same experimental conditions and with the chicken (Gallus gallus) erythrocytes, which have particular modifications at the N-terminus of the band 3 protein (B3). In fish the kinetic measurements have shown a different anion transport in several oxygenation states of erythrocytes, indicating that also at lower levels of vertebrate evolution there exists a modulation of the anionic flow affected by oxygen. The functional correlation of anion transport to changes of parts of the hemoglobin sequence responsible for alterations in the interactions with the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 protein (cdb3) allowed us to suggest a hypothesis about fish physiology. The highest values of kinetic measurements observed in fish have been attributed to the metabolic need of the RBC in response to the removal of CO2 that in teleosts is also of endogenous origin., A. Russo, E. Tellone, S. Ficarra, B. Giardina, E. Bellocco, G. Lagana, U. Leuzzi, A. Kotyk, A. Galtieri., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The review is devoted to the outstanding contributions to the path of carbon in photosynthesis by Professor Emeritus Andrew A. Benson, on the occasion of his death at the age of 97, on January 16, 2015. Benson is the legendary co-discoverer of the photosynthetic reductive pentose phosphate cycle, known to every student of photosynthesis as the Benson-Bassham-Calvin cycle. This pathway evolved into the dominant assimilation mechanism for atmospheric carbon into metabolites. The fundamental ecological and biochemical optimization and evolutionary stability of this mechanism unfolded elegantly in Benson’s hands, as he was the first to recognize the building blocks for the synthesis of essential organic compounds that satisfy the energetic needs and demands of most life forms. Photosynthetic carbon metabolism together with other energy and oxidative reactions and secondary biosynthetic processes are critical for the formation of organic matter; and, thereby, the Benson-Bassham-Calvin cycle ensures maintenance of the biosphere., K. Biel, I. Fomina., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The macrozoobenthos in saline pools at dumps in a former coal mining area was studied over a period of two years. Due to specific environmental conditions these pools are unique in the Czech Republic. Extremely high values of salinity (up to 11‰) along with a low concentration of dissolved phosphorus (0.01-0.1 mg.l-1) are typical of some of the water in this area. The pools were grouped into three categories based on their conductivity values and treated using cow dung, municipal wastewater treatment sludge and inorganic NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer at doses recommended for carp ponds. The application of fertilizer had a positive effect on the density and biomass of all the groups in the macrozoobenthos. The highest and the lowest increases in macrozoobenthos biomass were recorded after the application of NPK and cow dung, respectively. However, the application of fertilizer had no effect on the diversity of macrozoobenthos. Chironomus aprilinus, recorded in the Czech Republic for the first time, inhabited all pools with conductivity ranges of between 5,000-16,000 µS.cm-1. The density of C. aprilinus larvae increased with increasing salinity reaching a maximum of about 17,083 ind.m-2 (biomass - 82 g.m-2). Analysis of C. aprilinus phenology revealed a bivoltine pattern with the summer generation of larvae reaching a maximum in June-July and the overwintering generation in October to November., Josef Matěna, Iva Šínová, Jakub Brom, Kateřina Novotná., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Benzoxazolin-2-(3H)-one (BOA) has been tested in many plants species, but not in soybean (Glycine max). Thus, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to assess the effects of BOA on soybean photosynthesis. BOA reduced net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry without affecting intercellular CO2 concentration or maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry. Results revealed that the reduced stomatal conductance restricted entry of CO2 into substomatal spaces, thus limiting CO2 assimilation. No change found in intercellular CO2 concentration and reduced effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry revealed that CO2 was not efficiently consumed by the plants. Our data indicated that the effects of BOA on soybean photosynthesis occurred due to the reduced stomatal conductance and decreased efficiency of carbon assimilation. The accumulation of BOA in soybean leaves reinforced these findings. and Obsahuje bibliografii
Betaglucans are highly conserved structural polysacharids in the cell walls of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, seaweed, yeast, fungi, lichens, and some plants, particularly grain. They belong to a group of active natural substances commonly called biological response modifiers (BRM) and play a role as potent immune response stimulators in all multicellular animals. Their effects against infectious diseases and in cancer therapy have been described in many experimental research studies and human case histories but their functional mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. and Petr Šíma.