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26722. The expression levels of Notch-related signaling molecules in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in bleomycin-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis
- Creator:
- Yin, Q., Wang, W., Cui, G., Nan, H., Yan, L., Zhang, W., Zhang, S., and Wei, J.
- Format:
- print, bez média, and svazek
- Type:
- article, články, journal articles, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Fyziologie člověka a srovnávací fyziologie, plicní fibróza, pulmonary fibrosis, Notch1, Jagged1, Dll4, beomycin, pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, 14, and 612
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Previous studies have suggested that the Notch signaling pathway plays a very important role in the proliferation and differentiation of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the expression level of Notch-related signaling molecules in PMVECs in bleomycin (BLM)-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and real-time PCR were used to analyze the differences in protein and mRNA expression levels of Notch-related signaling molecules, i.e. Notch1, Jagged1, Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4), and hairy and enhancer of split homolog 1 (Hes1), between a control group treated with intratracheal instillation of saline and a study group treated with intratracheal instillation of BLM solution. Expression levels of the receptor Notch1 and one of its ligands, Jagged1, were upregulated, while the expression levels of the ligand Dll4 and the target molecule of the Notch signaling pathway, Hes1, were downregulated. The differences in protein and mRNA expression levels between the control and study groups were significant (p<0.001). The Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathway is activated in the pathogenesis of BLM-induced rat pulmonary fibrosis, while the Dll4/Notch1 signaling pathway is inhibited, which inhibits the suppressive effect of Dll4/Notch1 signaling on PMVEC overproliferation, further causing PMVEC dysfunction in cell sprouting and maturation as well as abnormal differentiation of the cell phenotype. Conversely, the downexpression of Hes1 indicates that the Jagged1/Notch1 signaling pathway could be a non-canonical Notch signaling pathway independent of Hes1 activation, which differs from the canonical Dll4/Notch1 signaling pathway., Q. Yin, W. Wang, G. Cui, H. Nan, L. Yan, W. Zhang, S. Zhang, J. Wei., and Obsahuje bibliografii
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
26723. The expression of B-50/GAP-43 and GFAP after bilateral olfactory bulbectomy in rats
- Creator:
- Čížková, D., Račeková, E., and Vanický, I.
- Type:
- article, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- olfactory bulbectomy, growth-associated proteins, glial reaction, and regeneration
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- In the present study we investigated the effect of a two-stage bilateral lesion of the olfactory bulb (OB) in rats on the regeneration ability of peripheral olfactory neurons and their reinnervation capacity in the spared OB. The outgrowth of newly-generated olfactory axons as well as the maturation of their terminal synaptic field was detected by immunohistochemistry of the growth-associated phosphoprotein B-50/GAP-43. In addition, the glial response to the surgery was monitored by an immunohistochemical marker for astrocytes, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In neonatal rats (P3-P5), the right OB was removed, then three months later the contralateral side was ablated. Six days after the second operation the animals were transcardially perfused. Their brains were embedded in paraplast, serially sectioned and processed for histological and immunohistochemical observations. After neonatal OB ablation, homogeneous B-50-immunoreactivity (BIR) was found in the forebrain, olfactory axons and ectopic glomeruli localized in the small OB remnant-like structures and in the regenerated neuroepithelium. A strong GFAP response was revealed in the brain cortex as well as in the newly-formed olfactory axons and glomeruli-like structures of the OB remnants. After adult OB ablation strong BIR was observed in olfactory axons, while remaining glomerular structures were only faintly stained. The neuroepithelium revealed signs of massive degenerative processes with a substantial decrease in BIR. The GFAP-positive astrocytes were scattered throughout the entire OB remnant and were prominent in the glomeruli-like structures and adjacent frontal cortex. In the present study, we applied GAP-43 and GFAP immunohistochemistry to characterize the responses of individual olfactory components after two-stage olfactory bulbectomy. Furthermore, this model of OB ablation characterized by two immunohistochemical markers could elucidate certain molecular mechanisms involved in the regeneration and/or plasticity of the olfactory system.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ and policy:public
26724. The eye of the parthenogenetic and minute moth Ectoedemia argyropeza (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae)
- Creator:
- Honkanen, Anna and Meyer-Rochow, Victor Benno
- Type:
- article, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Nepticuloidea, Microlepidoptera, vision, facets, and retinal ultrastructure
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Ectoedemia argyropeza (Zeller, 1839) possesses a compound eye that exhibits features of both apposition and superposition type eyes. Like apposition eyes, the eye of E. argyropeza lacks a clear-zone, which in superposition eyes separates the distal dioptric from the proximal light-perceiving structures. On the other hand, a tracheal layer around the proximal ends of the rhabdom as well as a well-developed corneal nipple array on the corneal surfaces are features that E. argyropeza shares with the larger moths. Unique, and so far only seen to this extreme degree in any insect, is the hourglass-shape of E. argyropeza's rhabdom, in which two almost equally voluminous regions (one distal, one proximal and formed in both cases by seven rhabdomeres) are connected by a narrow waist-like region of the retinula. An eighth retinula cell, not participating in rhabdom formation, is developed as a basal cell, just above the basement membrane. The eye responds with photomechanical changes to dark/light adaptation, but while the proximal rhabdom moiety slightly expands (as expected) in the dark, the distal rhabdom increases its diameter only upon light-adaptation. Owing to the tandem position of the two rhabdom moities, it is in the light-adapted state that the distally-placed rhabdom is favoured, while the proximal rhabdom plays a more important role at low ambient light levels. With screening pigments withdrawn, tracheal tapetum exposed, and distal rhabdom diameters reduced, the proximal and in the dark enlarged rhabdom is then in a position to capture photons that have entered the eye through not only the ommatidial window above, but other facets as well even in the absence of a clear-zone and superposition optics.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
26725. The fat dormouse, Glis glis, in Lithuania: living outside the range of the European beech, Fagus sylvatica
- Creator:
- Juškaitis, Rimvydas and Auguté, Vita
- Type:
- article, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- abundance dynamics, activity season, breeding, body weight, and population density
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Throughout most of the distributional range, the fat dormouse, Glis glis, relies heavily upon European beech as a key species in its habitat. In Lithuania however, situated beyond the continuous range of the beech, pedunculate oak becomes the essential tree in habitats of G. glis. In Lithuania, the dormouse activity season lasts from mid-May to mid-October, young are born during the short period from late July to mid-August, and the mean litter size is 5.9 young. Population density is low (0.8-2.0 ind./ha after hibernation and 1.2-4.8 ind./ha in autumn), but relatively stable. The mean body weights of adults (98 g after hibernation and 128 g before hibernation) are among the lowest across the range. Lithuanian dormice differ from those living in beech-dominated habitats by their lower population density and lower body weight. Such differences may be due to acorns being less suitable food for G. glis in comparison to beech nuts. In terms of inter-annual abundance dynamics, the G. glis population is comparatively stable as years in which dormice fail to reproduce are infrequent in Lithuania.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ and policy:public
26726. The female genitalia of the genus Zabrus (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Zabrini). I. The general structure and the subgenera Zabrus, Euryzabrus, Platyzabrus and Epomidozabrus
- Creator:
- Ortuno, Vicente M., Serrano, José, Andújar, Antonio, and Lencina, José L.
- Type:
- article, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Female genitalia, Zabrus, Carabidae, and Coleoptera
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- The systematics of the genus Zabrus Clairville, 1806 is currently based on morphological characters that show a high degree of parallelism. The aim of this study is to find new characters in the female genitalia, which give a better understanding of the phylogeny of the genus and result in a new classification based on monophyletic taxa (subgenera and species groups). For this purpose slides of the whole female reproductive tract were studied under light microscopy and the gonocoxa IX under scanning microscopy. The study of species belonging to eight subgenera of Zabrus, and of twelve subgenera of its sister taxon Amara, shows that Zabrus is characterised by the lack of a spermatheca. This apomorphy is reported for the first time in carabids, and corroborates the monophyly of the genus in comparison to Amara. A villous canal that is intimately joined to the distal bursa copulatrix was found in both genera and in species of related tribes. This feature could be an apomorphy of the Harpalidae sensu Deuve (1988). However, only in Zabrus does the villous canal end in a long falciform head, which is probably another autapomorphy of the genus. It is postulated that the primitive bursa copulatrix of the genus was made up of a moderately inflated basal half and an elongated and simple distal half. This pattern is found in species of the subgenus Zabrus, which are widely distributed, and the subgenera Euryzabrus, Platyzabrus, and Epomidozabrus, which are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Extra lobules arising in the region where the two parts of the bursa meet, and cup-like infoldings of the distal bursa are possible apomorphic states that characterise the subgenera Pelor and Iberozabrus. Gonocoxite 2 does not have the strong and short spines found in species of related taxa. Differences in size and shape of both gonocoxites, distribution of setation and microtrichia, and presence of furrow "pegs" are characters of potential phylogenetic interest, which should be thoroughly investigated in other subgenera.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
26727. The first derivation of the Frank lead ECG at alterations of pulmonary ventilation in young healthy women
- Creator:
- Kujaník, Š., Baldovský, Ľ., and Bohuš, B.
- Type:
- article, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- electrocardiography, vectorcardiography, the first derivation of ECG, hypoxia, hypercapnia, hyperventilation, PQ interval, intrinsicoid deflection, and Frank orthogonal ECG
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- The Frank orthogonal corrected ECG and its first derivation were recorded in 27 healthy volunteers (women aged 19-22 years) during normal ventilation at rest (control group), after voluntary hyperventilation lasting 75 seconds, and during hypoxic-hypercapnic ventilation (through the enlarged dead space) lasting 5 min. The projections of the magnitude and direction of the positive and negative QRS derivation maxima into the horizontal, frontal, left sagittal planes and their spatial distribution were constructed. The magnitude of the positive and negative QRS derivation maxima was significantly decreased during hypoxic-hypercapnic ventilation. A significant alteration in the direction only arose at the positive maximum during hypoxic-hypercapnic ventilation in the frontal plane. The intrinsicoid deflection was not significantly altered. The normal values of the maxima of the first QRS derivation in young healthy women are given. It is supposed that the decrease in amplitude of the maxima of the first QRS derivation is caused by slowed propagation of the depolarization wave under hypoxic- hypercapnic conditions and alteration of the direction of the positive maximum is caused by a greater participation of the right ventricle at the origin of the resulting QRS vector.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ and policy:public
26728. The first holistic SEM study of Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) - structural evidence and phylogenetic implications
- Creator:
- Zimmermann, Dominique, Klepal, Waltraud, and Aspöck, Ulrike
- Type:
- article, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Coniopterygidae, Semidalis aleyrodiformis, Aleuropteryx juniperi, morphology, ultrastructure, sensilla, plicatures, labial palps, wax glands, and phylogeny
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- Adults of two coniopterygid species, Aleuropteryx juniperi Ohm, 1968 (Aleuropteryginae) and Semidalis aleyrodiformis (Stephens, 1836) (Coniopteryginae), were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Interspecific differences in the ultrastructure of the integument of all the major parts of the body were identified and described, and the functional and phylogenetic implications of the differences discussed. Additionally, the enlarged terminal segment of the labial palps of the Coniopterygidae and the Sisyridae, which up to now has been used as an argument for a sister-group relationship between these two families, was subjected to a thorough comparison. The very different morphology makes independent enlargement of the terminal palpal segment in both families plausible. This finding is congruent with the earlier hypothesis of a sister-group relationship between Coniopterygidae and the dilarid clade, which was proposed on the basis of molecular data, larval morphology and male genital sclerites. Finally, a new classification of the coniopterygid subfamilies is presented based on characters of the larval head (prominence of the ocular region, relative length of sucking stylets). The following relationship is hypothesized: (Brucheiserinae + Coniopteryginae) + Aleuropteryginae, and the implications of this hypothesis for the phylogenetic interpretation of the ultrastructural differences that we found are discussed: (1) The wax glands, as well as plicatures, are interpreted as belonging to the ground pattern of the family Coniopterygidae, and (2) the wax glands are considered to have been reduced in Brucheiserinae and the plicatures in Coniopteryginae. A distinct (though reduced) spiraculum 8 was detected in Semidalis aleyrodiformis; as a consequence the hypothesis that the loss of spiraculum 8 is an autapomorphy of Coniopteryginae is refuted.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ and policy:public
26729. The French social housing sector at the crossroads of budgetary constraints and social missions
- Creator:
- Schaefer, Jean-Pierre
- Type:
- article, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- social housing, France, and housing finance
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- France has a high rate of production of new housing and the Global Financial Crisis has had little impact on a country of fixed-rate housing loans and strong guarantees for home-buyers. At the same time, the social rental sector, managed by a powerful network of public and private (not-for-profit) companies, has greatly increased its housing production thanks to the use of a financial mechanism that is independent of mainstream finance. Housing should be easily available throughout France. But this is not the case in the capital region and for some disadvantaged households. Critics regularly speak out against the deficiencies of French housing policies. Opponents of increased public spending consider that too much public money is being spent on this, while supporters of the free market say that the legal and institutional framework hinders private initiatives. Advocates of homeless people and low-income groups complain about the high cost of housing and segregation processes. This paper presents the debates and discussions regarding the pros and cons of housing policies in France at a time of severe budgetary constraints.
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ and policy:public
26730. The frequencies of six important thrombophilic mutations in a population of the Czech Republic
- Creator:
- Tomáš Kvasnička, Jaroslava Hájková, Bobčíková, P., Čverhová, V., Ivana Malíková, Jan Ulrych, Bříza, J., Daniela Dušková, Šárka Poletínová, Kieferová, V., and Jan Kvasnička
- Format:
- Type:
- article, články, model:article, and TEXT
- Subject:
- Fyziologie člověka a srovnávací fyziologie, genotyp, genotype, Česko, Czechia, hereditary thrombophilia, genotypes, allele, frequencies, Czech Republic, 14, and 612
- Language:
- English
- Description:
- The primary aim was to determine frequencies of mutations related to risk of venous thrombosis in healthy Caucasians in Central Bohemia. In a cohort of 1527 healthy individuals the frequency of risk alleles for the mutations FV Leiden and FII 20210G>A was 4.5 % and 1.3 %, respectively. Frequency of 4G PAI-1 allele was 55.5 %. Genotype frequencies were: GG 91.03 %, GA 8.91 %, an d AA 0.07 % for FV Leiden; GG 97.45 %, GA 2.49 %, and AA 0.07 % for FII 20210G>A; 4G/4G 30.26 %, 4G/5G 50.56 %, and 5G/5G 19.19 % for PAI-1. Frequency of the risk allele A in polymorphism SERPINC1 (IVS +141G >A) was 11.3 %, and frequencies of genotypes were as follows: GG 78.36 %, GA 20.66 %, and AA 0.98 %. Frequency of the risk allele T for polymorphism GP6 13254T>C was 87.7 %, and frequencies of genotypes were as follows: TT 77.14 %, TC 21.15 %, and CC 1.70 %. Frequency of the risk allele A in polymorphism CYP4V2 (Lys259Gln ) was 65.2 %, and frequencies of genotypes were: CC 12.25 %, CA 45.12 %, and AA 42.63 %. All observed genotypes and alleles frequencies were without gender differences. Their occurrences confirm a relatively high prevalence of hereditary thrombophilia predisposition in the Czech Republic., T. Kvasnička ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
- Rights:
- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ and policy:public