Galanin (GAL) is suggested to be a neuropeptide involved in pain transmission. In this study we tried to determine, whether the increase of GAL concentration in brain cells affects impulse transmission between the motor centers localized in the vicinity of the third and fourth cerebral ventricles. The experiments were carried out on rats under chloralose anesthesia. The study objectives were realized using the method allowing to record the amplitude of evoked tongue jerks (ETJ) in response to noxious tooth pulp stimulation during the perfusion of the cerebral ventricles with solutions containing tested compounds. Perfusion of the cerebral ventricles with GAL concentration-dependently inhibited the ETJ amplitude. The antinociceptive effect of GAL was blocked by a galanin receptor antagonist, galantide (GLT) and by opioid antagonists: non-selective naloxone (Nal) and μ-selective β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA). In contrast, a δ-opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole (NTI) or the κ-opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltrophimine (nor-BNI) did not inhibit the effect of GAL. The antinociceptive effect of GAL was more pronounced when GAL was perfused in combination with other neuropeptides/neurohormones, such as endomorphin-2 (EM-2), vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT). The present results demonstrate that in the orofacial area analgesic activity is modulated by GAL, OT and AVP and that EM-2-induced antinociception involves GAL., M. Zubrzycka, A. Janecka., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration [CO2] and the change of water distribution in arid and semiarid areas affect plant physiology and ecosystem processes. The interaction of elevated [CO2] and drought results in the complex response such as changes in the energy flux of photosynthesis. The performance of photosystem (PS) II and the electron transport were evaluated by using OJIP induction curves of chlorophyll a fluorescence and the PN-Ci curves in the two-factor controlled experiment with [CO2] of 380 (AC) or 750 (EC) [μmol mol-1] and water stress by 10% polyethylene glycol 6000. Compared to water-stressed maize (Zea mays L.) under AC, the EC treatment combined with water stress decreased the number of active reaction centers but it increased the antenna size and the energy flux (absorbed photon flux, trapping flux, and electron transport flux) of each reaction center in PSII. Thus, the electron transport rate was enhanced, despite the indistinctively changed quantum yield of the electron transport and energy dissipation. The combination of EC and the water-stress treatment resulted in the robust carboxylation rate without elevating the saturated photosynthetic rate (Pmax). This study demonstrated that maize was capable of transporting more electrons into the carboxylation reaction, but this could not be used to increase Pmax under EC., Y. Z. Zong, W. F. Wang, Q. W. Xue, Z. P. Shangguan., and Obsahuje bibliografii
a1_We compared the interactive effects of temperature and light intensity on growth, photosynthetic performance, and antioxidant enzyme activity in Zizania latifolia Turcz. plants in this study. Plants were grown under field (average air temperature 9.6-25°C and average light intensity 177-375 W m-2) or greenhouse (20-32°C and 106-225 W m-2) conditions from the spring to the early summer. The results indicated that greenhouse-grown plants (GGP) had significantly higher plant height, leaf length, and leaf width, but lower leaf thickness and total shoot mass per cluster compared with field-grown plants (FGP). Tiller emergence was almost completely suppressed in GGP. Significantly higher chlorophyll (Chl) content and lower Chl a/b ratio were observed in GGP than in FGP. From 4 to 8 weeks after treatment (WAT), net photosynthetic rate (PN) was significantly lower in FGP than in GGP. However, from 9 to 12 WAT, PN was lower in GGP, accompanied by a decrease in stomatal conductance (gs) and electron transport rate (ETR) compared with FGP. Suppressed PN in GGP under high temperature combined with low light was also indicated by photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) response curve and its diurnal fluctuation 10 WAT. Meanwhile, ETR in GGP was also lower than in FGP according to the ETR - photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) curve. The results also revealed that GGP had a lower light saturation point (LSP) and a higher light compensation point (LCP). From 4 to 8 WAT, effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching (qP), and ETR were slightly lower in FGP than in GGP. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly higher from 4 to 8 WAT, but lower from 10 to 12 WAT in FGP., a2_However, catalase (CAT) activity was significantly lower in FGP from 4 to 8 WAT. Our results indicated that the growth and photosynthetic performance of Z. latifolia plants were substantially influenced by temperature, as well as light intensity. This is helpful to understand the physiological basis for a protected cultivation of this crop., N. Yan ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Příspěvek se věnuje způsobu života čichavce líbajícího (Helostoma temminkii), jednoho ze zajímavých druhů labyrintních ryb. Popisuje způsob jejich života a také jejich využití. Jde o sladkovodní konzumní ryby, jejichž domovinou je jihovýchodní Asie. Své místo zaujaly také v akvaristice. Málo známý je i zajímavý způsob rozmnožování čichavce líbajícího chovaného v zajetí, který zachycují fotografické záběry při nočním tření., This article describes lifestyle and the use of the Kissing Gourami (Helostoma temminkii), one of the labyrinth fish. These edible freshwater fish native to south-east Asia are occasionally seen in aquaristics. The interesting way in which the Kissing Gourami breeds in captivity has only rarely been documented by photos because of its night time spawning., and Jaroslav Eliáš.
Leptin is a hormone primarily secreted by adipocytes and participating in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Its blood levels usually correlate with adiposity. The secretion of this hormone is affected, among others, by food consumption, insulin, fasting and cold exposure. Regulation of leptin secretion depends on many intracellular events. It is known that the activation of mTOR (the mamma lian target of rapamycin) as well as increase in ATP and malonyl-CoA content in adipocytes enhance secretion of leptin. The rise in intracellular cAMP and fatty acids is thought to evoke the opposite effect. Moreover, the undisturbed action of endogenous adenosine in adipocytes and the proper intracellular Ca2+ concentration in these cells were also found to have an important function in leptin release. The role of mTOR, ATP, cAMP, fatty acids, malonyl-CoA, adenosine and Ca2+ in the regulation of leptin secretion from adipocytes is discussed., T. Szkudelski., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Článek přináší informace o netýkavce žláznaté (Impatiens glandulifera, syn. I. roylei), jedné z nejznámějších zavlečených invazních rostlin na našem území. Nabízíme podrobnější pohled na její biologické vlastnosti, základní informace, jak se k nám tento druh dostal, a pokusíme se vysvětlit, proč se na našem území tak úspěšně šíří. Nastíníme i výhled dalšího možného vývoje., We provide information on the origin, biological characteristics and distribution pathways of the Himalayan Balsam (I. glandulifera, syn. I. roylei), one of the well-known alien invasive plants in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). We also explain the mechanisms behind the successful spread of the species and sketch its future development., and Hana Skálová, Jan Čuda.
This study focused on the deleterious effect of anthracene (ANT) and role of a surfactant, Triton (TX-100), in recovery from inhibitory effect of ANT. Fast chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence measurements were performed in wheat plants. Results revealed that maximum quantum yield of PSII, area over the fluorescence curve, performance index (PI), and reaction centre density was negatively affected by ANT treatment. The effects on PSII quantum efficiency, reaction centre density, absorption, and trapping were partially recovered by TX-100. PSII heterogeneity in terms of PSII antenna heterogeneity, corresponding to PSII α, β, and γ centres, and reducing side, corresponding to QB-reducing and QB-nonreducing centres, were also investigated. The damage caused by ANT to PSII antenna heterogeneity was recovered almost by 100% owing to TX-100., C. Sharma, S. Mathur, R. S. Tomar, A. Jajoo., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Increasing human and industrial activities lead to heavy metal pollution. Heavy metal chromium (Cr) is considered to be a serious environmental contaminant for the biota. Phytotoxic effects of Cr were studied in wheat plants. Growth parameters were largely inhibited as a result of disturbances in the plant cell metabolism in response to Cr toxicity. Chromium toxicity led to decline in a number of active reaction centres of PSII, rate of electron transport, and change in PSII heterogeneity. Chromium did not cause any change in heterogeneity of the reducing side. A significant change in antenna size heterogeneity of PSII occurred in response to Cr toxicity. Chromium seems to have extensive effects on the light harvesting complex of PSII., S. Mathur, H. M. Kalaji, A. Jajoo., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Among the most important quality parameters of irrigation water used for greenhouse crops, alkalinity of water is considered critical due to its impact on soil or growing medium solution pH. In this study, plant growth, Fe content, photosynthetic pigment content, maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm), performance index (PI), leaf relative water content (LRWC), and soluble sugars concentration were investigated in nongrafted and grafted tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Red stone) plants onto five rootstocks of eggplant (Solanum melongena cv. Long purple), datura (Datura patula), orange nightshade (Solanum luteum Mill.), local Iranian tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), and field tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Cal.jn3), exposed to 0, 5, and 10 mM NaHCO3 concentrations, to determine whether grafting could improve alkalinity tolerance of tomato. Significant depression of leaf area, leaf and stem dry mass, shoot and root Fe content and LRWC under high NaHCO3 level was observed in both grafted and ungrafted plants. The highest reduction in the shoot Fe content was observed at 10 mM sodium bicarbonate in control plants (greenhouse tomato). Moreover, at high HCO3- level, the highest percentage of LRWC reduction was also recorded in ungrafted plants. Values of Fv/Fm and PI decreased significantly at 5 and 10 mM NaHCO3 irrespective of rootstock type. The present study revealed that soluble sugars content, photosynthetic pigments content, Fv/Fm and PI values in plants grafted onto datura rootstock were higher than those in nongrafted and rest of the grafted plants. Thus, the use of datura rootstock could provide a useful tool to improve alkalinity tolerance of tomato plants under NaHCO3 stress., Y. Mohsenian ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The effect of exogenous noradrenaline (NA) (1.6 mg.kg-1 i.p., 35 min prior sacrifice) on the activity of antioxidant enzymes (AOE) copper zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as lipid peroxides (LP) concentration were studied in the rat interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) and heart of saline (controls) and Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treated rats (10 mg.kg-1, i.p., during 3 days and 20 min before NA). NA differently affects both AOE activities and LP production in the IBAT and heart. Thus, NA inhibited the activity of all IBAT AOE and LP production while in the heart it markedly increased CAT activity only, but had no effect on any of SODs activities and LP concentration. L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase blocker, completely abolished the NA-induced inhibition of the IBAT AOE and LP production, whereas in the heart it was without effect. In conclusion, these results indicate that both NA and L-NAME effects on AOE activity and LP production are tissue specific and also suggest that nitric oxide mediates the NA-induced inhibition of AOE activity and LP production in the IBAT only., A. Perovic, T. Vuckovic, G. Cvijic, J. Djordjevic, V. Davidovic., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy