An invasive sawfly Aproceros leucopoda Takeuchi, 1939, which originates from East Asia, has colonized elms (Ulmus spp.) in Austria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the Ukraine, at least since 2003. In Europe, the larvae can completely defoliate native and non-native elm trees and may cause at least partial dieback. Field observations indicate that elms are infested independent of their age and site characteristics. The life cycle of A. leucopoda is described based on material reared in Hokkaido, Japan. Parthenogenetic reproduction, short life cycle of summer generations and the ability to produce four generations per year result in the production of numerous progeny. The evolution of a seasonal dimorphism in head morphology, a simple cocoon that is attached directly to the host plant and a short period spent in the cocoon stage during summer, are putative apomorphies shared by Aproceros Takeuchi, 1939 and Aprosthema Konow, 1899. These traits reduce developmental costs and contribute to the proliferation of A. leucopoda. No specialized parasitoid, that can effectively reduce outbreaks of this species, is known. It is likely that this pest will spread into central and south-western Europe. Further monitoring of A. leucopoda is required to assess future range extensions in Europe, its exacerbating effect on Dutch elm disease and to find a suitable biocontrol agent. Concise keys to imaginal and larval stages are presented that will facilitate the identification of A. leucopoda.
Aprotinin, a nonspecific serine protease inhibitor, has been primarily used as a haemostatic drug in cardiac surgery with cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB). This study investigated the effect of Aprotinin on the post-operative levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and a set of cytokines in patients undergoing pulmonary artery endarterectomy (PEA). We analyzed 60 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension undergoing PEA. 30 patients (Group A) were treated with Aprotinin (2000000 IU prior anesthesia, then 2000000 IU in CPB prime and 50000 IU per hour continuously); a further 30 patients (Group B) received Tranexamic Acid (1 g before anesthesia, 1 g after full heparin dose and 2 g in CPB prime). PCT, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 arterial concentrations were measured from before until 72 hours after surgery. Aprotinin significantly affected early post-PEA plasma PCT. Patients treated with Aprotinin (Group A) had lower peak PCT levels compared to patients in Group B (1.52 ng/ml versus 2.18, p=0.024). Postoperative peak values of PCT and IL- 6 correlated closely in both groups (r=0.78, r=0.83 respectively). Aprotinin attenuates the post-PEA increase of PCT in the same manner as other pro-inflammatory cytokines. Significant correlation between PCT and IL-6 post-surgery may be indicative of an indirect IL-6-mediated pathway of PCT alteration., P. Maruna, ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
This article deals with the events during the so-called Arab Spring (or Domino) in Jordan since the beginning of 2011. Jordan (same as many other Arab states) had to cope with revolutionary atmosphere inspired by Tunisian revolution (since December 2010). This article describes which groups of Jordanian population and with which demands joined several-month popular protests and uprisings. Last year´s events are then explained on the background of the development of Jordanian politics. Great part of the articles exercises certain demands for reform in connection with tension between different parts of Jordanian society (Palestinians, Bedouins etc.). The end of the article summarizes success of Jordanian reformist movement so far., Martina Ponížilová., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The article deals with recent and still somewhat foggy phenomenon of so called „Arab spring“, which faces the area of the Middle East since last January. The author strives to avoid commonly operated journalist-like and superficial approach and describes in a kind of concise sythesis some of factors and motives of the „facebook generation“ and historical background of recent development in the respective societies. He points at the specific features of „modernity“ in the Arab region – like absolutely different structure of the society, means and ways of production, cultural, ethnical and spiritual values and stereotypes – if compared to the history and culture of the West, its „modernity“ and capitalist economic and social system. Special attention is paid on the crucial phenomenon of secularism, which – unlike the West – has been rather strange and (at least partly) unacceptable value for Arab (predominantly Muslim) societies. From these findings should originate the specific attitute from outside towards the role of religion in social and political life, specific political culture and behavior of both the official regime elites and „oppositionist“ strata of particular societies.
This article deals with the beginnigs of private Arabic press in Palestine. After a short introduction devoted to the early history of the press in the Middle East the main focus is on the period between 1908 and 1914. That was a time when private press in Palestine sprang into existence. After the liberalization of political life 35 newspapers came into being within this short period of time. Most of them had a very short lifespan, but some of them persevered until the outbreak of the First World War. The most important reason that prompted people to start publishing a newspaper was an endeavour to impove the society. Some publishers had more specific goals in mind like the fight against Zionism or the struggle for rights of the Arabs. The article also treats the importance of the press, its influence on the local population, coexistence of modern and traditional means of diffusion of information in the contemporary society.