In rats, neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) causes serious damage in some hypothalamic and circumventricular areas. The resulting loss of appropriate neurons important for the regulation of blood pressure (BP) may modulate cardiovascular system receptivity in these animals. In the present study, the reactivity of the cardiovascular system to intravenous injection of ai-adrenergic receptor agonist phenylephrine (200 ^g/kg/ml) and angiotensin II (500 ng/kg in 0.6 ml for 2 min) was investigated in adult rats which had been neonatally treated with MSG or vehicle. BP parameters measured directly in conscious cannulated rats were continuously registered using a computerized system. Under basal conditions, MSG-treated rats had slightly lower systolic, diastolic and mean BP with significant differences in pulse pressure (systolic - diastolic BP). In MSG-treated animals, the maximal increase of mean arterial BP after phenylephrine and the duration of BP elevation after both agents were significantly reduced. Slopes of the linear portion of baroreceptor function curves in control and MSG-treated rats did not differ significantly, indicating that baroreflex efficacy was unchanged. The results obtained by perfusion of the hindlimb vascular bed in situ showed that the pressure responses to increasing doses of noradrenaline in MSG-treated rats were reduced. These findings demonstrate that neonatal treatment of rats with MSG lowers the responsiveness of the cardiovascular system, particularly in response to a-adrenergic stimulation. It is suggested that the attenuation of cardiovascular reactivity in MSG-treated rats is, at least partly, caused by diminished vascular responsiveness.
High incidence of infertility along with low vitamin D levels was detected in otherwise healthy young men. The aim is to observe the effect of vitamin D supplementation on semen parameters as assessed by semen analysis in infertile men. In total, 45 men (mean age 36.6 years) in consecutive order were included, of whom 34 finished the study. Subjects were supplemented by vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day. Vitamin D levels were assessed by HPLC. Semen analysis was performed strictly following 2010 WHO guidelines. Study periods were baseline and month 6. During follow-up, 20 %, 7.4 %, 22 % and 0.7 % increase in serum vitamin D levels, progressive sperm motility, sperm concentration and sperm morphology, respectively, were observed (all p<0.05). At follow-up end, 9 patients (26 %) reached normal sperm parameters of whom 2 fertilized their partner. There was no correlation between vitamin D and semen parameters observed. This study proves that vitamin D supplementation is possibly a modulator of sperm parameters in vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men. Although a direct relationship between vitamin D and sperm parameters was not observed obtaining adequate vitamin D levels could likely play a role in the male factor of infertility., Igor Bartl, Miroslava Ondrušová, Martin Kužma, Peter Jackuliak, Andrea Gažová, Ján Kyselovič, Juraj Payer., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its animal model adjuvant arthritis (AA) are inflammatory diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, systemic oxidative stress and disturbed mitochondrial bioenergetics of skeletal muscle. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 - CoQ10 (100 mg/kg b.w.), omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids - ω-3-PUFA (400 mg/kg b.w.) and their combined treatment in AA on impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics, inflammation and changes in levels CoQ9 and CoQ10 in plasma. Markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, monocytechemotactic protein-1), antioxidant capacity of plasma, respiratory chain parameters of skeletal muscle mitochondria and concentrations of CoQ9 and CoQ10 in plasma and in muscle tissue were estimated. Treatment of the arthritic rats with CoQ10, ω-3-PUFA alone and in combination partially reduced markers of inflammation and increased antioxidant capacity of plasma, significantly increased concentrations of coenzyme Q in mitochondria and improved mitochondrial function in the skeletal muscle. Combined treatment has similar effect on the mitochondrial function as monotherapies; however, it has affected inflammation and antioxidant status more intensively than monotherapies. Long-term supplementary administration of coenzyme Q10 and ω-3-PUFA and especially their combination is able to restore the impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics and antioxidant status in AA., Jarmila Kucharská, Silvester Poništ, Oľga Vančová, Anna Gvozdjáková, Oľga Uličná, Lukáš Slovák, Mohsen Taghdisiesfejir, Katarína Bauerová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Twelve-day-old barley seedlings were supplied with 23 μM methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or 10 μM paraquat (Pq) via the transpiration stream and kept in the dark for 24 h. Then they were exposed to 100 μmol m-2 s-1 PAR and samples were taken 1, 2, 3, and 6 h after irradiation. Treatment of seedlings with MeJA alone resulted in decreased content of chlorophyll (Chl), and net photosynthetic (PN) and transpiration rates. Pq treatment led to a decrease in Chl content and to a very strong inhibition of PN, the effects were manifested by 1 h of irradiation. Pq treatment did not affect the activity of ribulose-1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBPC, EC 4.1.1.39) but increased the activity of the photorespiratory enzymes phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP, EC 3.1.3.18), glycolate oxidase (GO, EC 1.1.3.1), and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6). Pre-treatment of seedlings with MeJA before exposure to Pq fully blocked the inhibitory effect of Pq on photosynthesis and protected against subsequent Pq-induced oxidative damage. and V. A. Hristova, L. P. Popova.
Bats occupy a variety of natural and artificial diurnal roosts. These environments offer several advantages for bats, among which we highlight the relative climatic stability, darkness, and protection from predators. The aim of this study was to identify and describe the use of tree hollows as natural diurnal roosts by Molossops temminckii, Molossus rufus, Artibeus planirostris and Sturnira lilium in southeastern Brazil. In the first one, we sought to describe the physical characteristics of shelters. In the second objective, we determined the number of individuals in the colonies and, we described and classified the posture adopted by bats within cavities. In the
third objective, we seek to relate the physical characteristics of refuges with the foraging behavior and diet of bat species. Moreover, we also discussed the advantages and disadvantages that tree cavities may confer for bats, in the context of approximation of opportunistic predators. We found four colonies, one of each species, which roosted within tree trunk cavities. In general, the colonies were small, with less than 10 individuals of both sexes. Usually the molossids left the roost at dusk, while phyllostomids left later, around three hours after dusk. Individuals of the first three species were recaptured while foraging near the roosts. We believe (through observations) that the location in the landscape and the physical characteristics (dimensions of access to the cavities and height from the ground) of shelters used by bats, depend exclusively on the morphology, foraging behaviour and diet of each species of bat. Furthermore, this
study contributes to an increase of knowledge about the natural history of Neotropical bats, which can provide relevant information for conservation.
Climate change impacts on the regional water cycle represent a long-term ''system disturbance'' and belong to the most urgent issues of today’s hydrological research. Stronger research efforts are needed especially at the regional and local scale, where political and technical adaptation measures can be taken to avoid critical developments for the environment and society. Studies in the past indicate considerable regional vul-nerabilities against changes of both temperature and precipitation patterns. The present study describes a methodology, which allows to assess the influences of climate changes in a meso-scale region. Results of a high temporal and spatial resolution mod-elling approach are presented for the State of Brandenburg in Eastern Germany, which suffers from water deficit similar to many Mediterranean regions. The study indicates strong impacts on various water balance components under changed climatic condi-tions in the period 1996-2050 and possible water availability problems in the future. Basis for the impact study are trend analyses in Brandenburg, which indicate a signifi-cant decrease of percolation already in the observation period 1961-1998, especially for areas with a shallow groundwater table. and Dopady zmeny klímy na hydrologický cyklus v regionálnej mierke predstavujú dlhodobé ''narušenia systému'' a patria k najnaliehavejším otázkam súčasného hydrologického výskumu. Výraznejšiu pozornosť výskumu si vyžadujú najmä problémy v regionálnej a lokálnej mierke, kde môžu byť prijaté opatrenia, ktoré umožnia vyhnúť sa krízovému vývoju v životnom prostredí a spoločnosti. Minulé štúdie poukázali na veľkú regionálnu zraniteľnosť voči zmenám teploty a atmosférických zrážok. Tento príspevok opisuje metodológiu odhadu vplyvov zmeny klímy v regióne veľkosti mezomierky. Sú v ňom prezentované výsledky modelovania s vysokým časovým a priestorovým rozlíšením v krajine Brandenbursko vo východnej časti Nemecka. Štúdia poukazuje na významné dopady zmenených klimatických podmienok pre obdobie 1996-2050 na rôzne prvky hydrologickej bilancie a možné problémy so zdrojmi vody v budúcnosti. Základom impaktovej štúdie je trendová analýza, ktorá poukazuje na významný pokles perkolácie už v pozorovanom období 1961-1998, najmä v oblastiach s plytkou hladinou podzemnej vody.