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
The abundance, diet, and prey relationships of American mink Mustela vison were studied in the Słońsk Reserve (W Poland) on two plots: shore and reservoir. Estimated mink number within the Reserve was 69 in autumn–winter 1998/1999 and 50 during spring 1999. The diet of American mink consisted mainly of mammals, birds and fish. In autumn–winter, birds formed 4–16%, whereas mammals constituted up to 56% and fish up to 62% of the biomass consumed, depending on the plot. In spring and summer, however, birds formed 45–60% of the biomass consumed in the reservoir and 35–46% of the biomass taken by mink on the shore. The European coot Fulica atra was the most frequently consumed prey. In spring, mink removed 7.8% (N=278 killed birds) of coots nesting in the Reserve, 1.8% (N=9) of breeding grebes Podiceps spp. and 11.2% of ducks (N=93 taken birds). On straw platforms only 13.6% of greylag geese Anser anser broods were successful. From 35 to 77% of the nests on straw platforms were destroyed by mink. In wooden boxes 46.4% of mallard Anas platyrhynchos and 33.3% of shelduck Tadorna tadorna nests were successful. American mink destroyed 22–40% of the nests in boxes. However, the arrival of American mink to the Słońsk Reserve has not resulted in a noteworthy decrease in waterfowl populations.
We studied the diet of 10 species of grasshopper belonging to the family Pamphagidae over a period of 3 years at 6 localities in North Eastern Algeria. The species of plants consumed by the grasshoppers was determined by comparing slide mounted specimens of the pieces of plant epidermis in their faeces with those in a reference collection of identified plants collected from the same localities. The percentages of occurrence of the different species of plants in the faeces of the grasshoppers were not related to the abundance of the plants at the sites studied. All the grasshoppers were polyphagous but differed in the percentage of Poaceae in their diets. The diet of Tmethis and Ocneridia contained a higher percentage of Poaceae than the other species and are considered to be ambivores. The three species in the Pamphagus gr. djelfensis complex differ in their diets but all tend to avoid consuming Poaceae and are categorized as forbivores. We also compared the frequency of occurrence of Fabaceae in the faeces and in the field and O. volxemii is the only species that avoided consuming this plant family. The number of sensilla on the labrum was also studied in both sexes of each species. Once one corrects for differences in the size of the labrum, the forbivores have higher numbers of sensilla in groups A1, A2 and A3 (but not A10) than the ambivores. The numbers of sensilla in the A10 group on the labrum of species of Pamphagidae is greater than on that of species of Acrididae, which are mainly graminivores and adapted to semi-arid conditions., Naima Benkenana, Abboud Harrat, Daniel Petit., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The suitability of two forest biotopes (oak and hornbeam-beech forests) for occupation by D. nitedula in Daghestan, Russia is considered. Biotopes have been characterized according to 11 parameters. All 11 vegetation parameters were significantly different between study areas. The indices of D. nitedula success in the studied biotopes demonstrated that numbers were higher in an oak forest than in a hornbeam-beech forest. Estimates of microhabitat distribution showed that D. nitedula individuals prefer to live in shrub associations and in areas with young trees in both biotopes. The body weight of adults and reproduction rate were similar in both biotopes. We concluded that in situation when the body weight and reproduction rates of individual D. nitedula were similar but the numbers of species in the both forest biotopes significantly differ, the structure of woody-shrub vegetation becomes a significant factor.
We studied the diet of the badger through scat analysis and used seven previously described methods to assess their comparability. Methods compared included those based on frequencies of occurrence of different food items and volumetric methods. Our results showed that, depending on the basic methodological procedure, we could classify methods in two groups: frequencies of appearance and volumetric methods. The depiction of the diet obtained is quite similar within these groups but differs between them, as each group depicts different aspects of the trophic ecology of the badger. In conclusion, we advise the use of more than one method when assessing the diets of badgers or other carnivores. The best option is the use of a frequency-based method combined with one or two volumetric methods.
Variants within the FTO gene are important determinants of body mass index (BMI), but their role in determination of BMI changes after combined dietary/physical ac tivity intervention is unclear. We have analyzed 107 unrelated overweight non-diabetic Czech females (BMI over 27.5 kg/m2 , age 49.2±12.3 years). FTO variants rs17817449 (first intron) and rs17818902 (third intron) were genotyped. The life style mo dification program (10 weeks) consisted of an age- matched reduction of energy intake and exercise program (aerobic exercise 4 times a week, 60 min each). The mean BMI before intervention was 32.8±4.2 kg/m2 and the mean achieved weight loss was 4.8±3.5 kg (5.3±3.5 %, max. -15.5 kg, min. +2.0 kg, p<0. 01). No significant association between BMI decrease and FTO variants was found. Also waist-to-hip ratio, body composition (body fat, water, active tissue), lipid parameters (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides) glucose and hsCRP change s were independent on FTO variants. FTO variants rs17817449 and rs17818902 are not associated with BMI changes after combined short time dietary/physical activity intervention in overweight females., D. Dlouhá ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Abundance of the European hare (Lepus europaeus Pllas, 1778) has been declining dramatically in Europe. In the framework of our long-term ecological studies in the juniper forest at Bugas, Hungary, we have also monitored its population abundance. At the ginning of our researches the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus Linné, 1758) had been the dominant herbivore species there, but as a result of two diseases in 1994 and 1995 they disappeared. Earlier studies had showed competition between these two species, therefore we expected a significant increase in the local hare abundance after the extinction of rabbits. Our results, however, did not comply with this supposition. Nonetheless, experimental comparison of the vegetation in grazed and ungrazed plots proved that rabbits had been significantly decreasing the vegetation cover, especially that of grasses; meanwhile hares did not. Although grasses were the main food components of both species, their moderate diet overlap throughout the year does not suggest a food competition between them. All these findings show that population size of hares was not significantly limited by rabbits due to trophic overlap. Competitive effect of rabbit on sympatric hares had been low or it was expressed by the depreciation of other non-investigated population characteristics.
Since the introduction of sunbleak (Leucaspius delineatus) to southern England in 1986, its life history characteristics (such as reproductive behaviour, early sexual maturity and an unusually small adult size) have contributed to its rapid dispersal. This study examines the length-weight relationships and age of this non-indigenous cyprinid to highlight the potential threat to native 0+ cyprinids. Sunbleak populations demonstrated an unusual growth pattern for a cyprinid, with an average of 42 % of its maximum growth occurring in the first year, followed by extremely low annual growth until death. Very few significant differences were found between the mean length of several sunbleak age groups and the length of native 0+ bream Abramis brama, roach Rutilus rutilus, bleak Alburnus alburnus and rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus. We have also found that young-of-the-year of these cyprinids share the same food and habitat with all sunbleak year class, which in some places has had a detrimental impact on the recruitment of native species.
Flavonoids, a group of phenolic compounds found naturally in fruit, vegetables, nuts, flowers, seeds and bark are an integral part of the human diet. They have been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological effects, including anti-ischemic, antiplatelet, antineoplastic, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, antilipoperoxidant or gastroprotective actions. Furthermore, flavonoids are potent antioxidants, free radical scavengers and metal chelators, and inhibit lipid peroxidation. Oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) is believed to play a crucial role in atherogenesis. Epidemiological studies have shown that the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and regular red wine consumption is related with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases., G. Mojžišová, M. Kuchta., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Geographically peripheral populations are likely to experience suboptimal conditions, and several population characteristics may be influenced. The aim of the present study was to assess characteristics of the populations of hazel, forest and fat dormice on the northern periphery of their ranges in continental Europe in comparison to populations situated in the rest of their ranges. The dormouse populations analysed were found to be distinct from other populations in many aspects of their ecology. On this northern periphery of the ranges, the dormouse activity season is shorter and ends earlier. The population density is also lower, but inter-annual abundance dynamics are comparatively stable. Except the shorter breeding season however, there is no clear general pattern regarding other aspects of reproduction. The composition of the vegetable food used by dormice is rather specific. Contrary to expectations, the proportion of food of animal origin is not increased in the dormouse diets. The main habitat requirements of dormice are similar to those in other parts of their ranges, though the composition of woody plant species in the dormouse habitats is different. Dormice living on the northern periphery of their ranges show a high degree of adaptability to local conditions, but factors limiting their distribution are not clear yet.