Extracellular vesicles are small membrane particles (30-1000 nm) released by Bacteria, Eukaryotes and Archaea. They have been shown to play an important role in intracellular and intercellular communication, within and between kingdoms via transport of bioactive molecules. Thus, they can be involved in altering gene expression and regulation of physiological and pathological processes of the recipient. Their unique properties make extracellular vesicles a perfect candidate vector for targeted drug delivery or a biomarker. For a long time, animal and mainly mammal extracellular vesicles have been used in research. But for plants, there had been speculations about the existence of nanovesicles due to the presence of a cell wall. Today, awareness of plant extracellular vesicles is on the rise and their research has proved they have various functions, such as protein secretion, transport of bioactive molecules or defense against pathogens. Further potential of plant extracellular vesicles is stressed in this review.
Plant volatiles can synergize the response to moth pheromone. Synthetic pheromone analogs, in turn, have the opposite effect in reducing pheromone attractiveness. To determine how these two types of stimuli interact and influence male moth behaviour, we performed wind tunnel experiments on the grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana. We noticed that a blend of host plant volatiles [(E)-β-caryophyllene, 1-hexanol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate and 1-octen-3-ol in a 100:20:10:5 ratio] significantly increased the response of males to an optimized blend of sex pheromone [(7E,9Z)-dodeca-7,9-dienyl acetate (E7,Z9-12:Ac), (7E,9Z)- dodeca-7,9-dienol (E7,Z9-12:OH) and (Z)-9-dodecenyl acetate (Z9-12:Ac)] in a 100:10:2 ratio. However, the response of males to the natural attractant was significantly reduced by two analogs [(9E,11Z)-tetradeca-9,11-dien-2-one (MK 2) and [(9E,11Z)-1,1,1-trifluoro-tetradeca-9,11-dien-2-one (TFMK 3)], of the major component of the sex pheromone of the insect (E7,Z9-12:Ac). When both stimuli were tested on males at pheromone:analog:plant volatile blend 1:100:1000 ratio, the plant blend offset the inhibitory effect induced by TFMK 3 but not that of MK 2. Our results show for the first time that under laboratory conditions plant volatiles can prevent inhibition by a pheromone analog., Albert Sans, Miguel Morán, Magí Riba, Ángel Guerrero, Jaume Roig, César Gemeno., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Peripheral insulin resistance is associated with decreasing adiponectin and increasing leptin plasma levels, and also with cognitive decline. The effects of adipokines on brain function have been published from both animal and human studies. In particular, the influence of leptin and adiponectin on the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been extensively investigated. However, the association between adipsin and AD is as yet unknown. In 37 patients with AD and 65 controls that followed the same study protocol, we tested whether adiponectin, leptin, and adipsin could be used as biomarkers in the early stages of AD. In contrast with conclusions of cognition studies in insulin resistant states, our study found a correlation of impaired neuropsychological performance with increasing adiponectin and decreasing leptin in AD patients. Nevertheless, no significant differences between patients and controls were found. AD women had significantly increased adipsin compared to controls, and there was a positive correlation of adipsin with age and disease duration. Although adipokines do not appear to be suitable biomarkers for early AD diagnosis, they certainly play a role in the pathogenesis of AD. Further studies will be needed to explain the cause of the adipokine “breaking point” that leads to the pathogenesis of overt AD., Markéta Vaňková, Gabriela Vacínová, Josef Včelák, Daniela Vejražková, Petra Lukášová, Robert Rusina, Iva Holmerová, Eva Jarolímová, Hana Vaňková, Běla Bendlová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
autoři katalogu : Jana Koudelová, David Stejskal, Jan Tippner, Michal Kloiber, Jiří Bláha, Petr Růžička, Tomáš Kolář, Michal Rybníček, Jaroslav Buzek, Tomáš Dostál, Jaromír Milch, Jan Baar, Dominik Hess, Jan Zlámal, Hanuš Vavrčík, Radek Bryol ; editor: Jana Koudelová ; fotografie: Jaroslav Hrivnák, Michal Kloiber, Jan Kolář, Tomáš Kolář, David Stejskal, Willy Tegel., Seznam zkratek, Obsahuje bibliografii, and Anglické resumé
Výzkumná práce se zaměřuje na analýzu oblasti podpůrných opatření ve vzdělávání žáků se speciálními vzdělávacími potřebami. Hlavní oblastí studie je navyšování časové dotace na práci žáků se specifickými poruchami učení, což je jedna z nejčastěji volených forem podpory pro tyto žáky. Byla provedena kvantitativní analýza výkonu žáků 9. tříd základních škol. Výzkumný soubor obsahoval žáky se SPU (N=31) a intaktní žáky (N=188). Žáci pracovali na Testu struktury inteligence I-S-T 2000 R a jejich výkony byly následně statisticky zpracovány. Žáci se SPU měli k dispozici o 25 % na práci více, než žáci intaktní, ale byli hodnoceni také v základním čase. Pracovalo se s jejich výkonem v podobě hrubých skórů (tedy fakticky správně vyplněných položek), hrubé skóre se nepřevádělo na inteligenční kvocient. Statisticky významné výsledky byly zjištěny v následujících oblastech. Žáci se SPU podali v rámci své skupiny statisticky významně lepší výkon, pokud pracovali s navýšením času (než v čase základním), a to ve všech hodnocených škálách i subtestech. Při hodnocení rozdílu mezi žáky se SPU a intaktní skupinou žáků dosahovali žáci se SPU s přidaným časem navíc statisticky významně lepších výkonů ve figurální škále testu a v subtestu Výběr obrazců; statisticky významně horší výkon podali v numerickém subtestu Číselné řady. Pokud pracovali žáci se SPU a intaktní skupina žáků ve stejném (základním) čase, pak byli intaktní žáci statisticky významně úspěšnější v numerické škále. V rámci verbální škály nebyly zjištěny žádné statisticky významné rozdíly ve výkonech, což je překvapivým zjištěním. and The research focuses on the analysis of support measures in the education of pupils with special educational needs. The main area of the study is to increase the time allowance for the work of pupils with specific learning disabilities, which is one of the most frequently chosen forms of support for these pupils. The research is a quantitative analysis of the performance of 9 th -grade elementary school students. The research group included pupils with SPU (N = 31) and intact pupils (N = 188). The students worked on the I-S-T 2000 R Intelligence Structure Test and their performance was statistically processed. Pupils with SPU had 25% more time for work available than intact pupils, but they were also evaluated in basic time. We worked with their performance in the form of gross scores (that is correctly filled in items), the gross scores were not converted into intelligence quotients. Statistically significant results were found in the following areas. Pupils with SPU performed statistically significantly better within their group in all evaluated scales and subtests if they worked with increasing time (than in basic time). When we are evaluating the difference between pupils with SPU and an intact group of pupils, pupils with SPU with added extra time achieved statistically significantly better performances in the figural test scale and the Pattern Selection subtest. Statistically significantly worse performance was given in the numerical subtest of the Number Series. If students with SPU and an intact group of students worked at the same (base) time the intact students were statistically significantly more successful on the numerical scale. The surprising finding is that there are no statistically significant differences in performance within the verbal scale.
Respect for patientʼs autonomy is a key requirement of every ethical and legal codes. But what does it mean, autonomy? What concept of autonomy shall we choose? In modern bioethics, two concepts of autonomy dominate. The first is the so-called default theory created by Tom Beauchamp and James Childress, the second is the so-called split-level autonomy theory, sometimes referred to as the theory of authenticity. The first concept is derived from the concept of negative autonomy, the second is the idea of a positive interpretation of this word. The proven thesis of this article is that respect for that patient default autonomy is a necessary but not sufficient condition for an ethical relationship between the doctor and the patient. Respect for patient authenticity on the other hand cannot be a necessary condition for this ethical relationship, but it should be the ideal that a physician should seek to achieve, the moral of aspiration. Choosing one of these two concepts of autonomy has also key impact on the theory of informed consent, which will be proved as well. and Respekt k autonomii pacienta je klíčovým požadavkem plynoucí ze současných etických i právních kodexů. Není však zcela jisté, jaký koncept autonomie má být zvolen. Z toho plyne řada nejasností i pro teorii informovaného souhlasu. V současné moderní bioetice dominují dvě koncepce autonomie. První je tzv. defaultní teorie vytvořená Beauchampem a Childressem, druhá je tzv. teorie stupňovité autonomie, někdy nazývaná jako teorie autenticity. První koncepce je odvozena od koncepce tzv. negativní autonomie, druhá naopak předpokládá pozitivní výklad tohoto slova. Prokazovaná teze tohoto článku je ta, že respekt k tzv. defaultní autonomii pacienta je nutnou, nikoliv však postačující podmínkou pro etický vztah lékaře a pacienta. Respekt k stupňovité autonomii pacienta naopak nemůže být nutnou podmínkou pro etický vztah lékaře a pacienta, nicméně je klíčem pro dosažení tzv. morálky aspirace, ideálu, který by se měl lékař snažit dosáhnout. Výběr konceptu autonomie má pak zásadní dopady i na teorii informovaného souhlasu.
Toxoplasma gondii Nicolle et Manceaux, 1909, the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, was considered a clonal population with three distinct genetic lineages (I, II and III); however, sequence analysis of different strains has revealed distinct atypical genotypes. Macrophages are essential for immunity against toxoplasmosis and differential cell regulation may affect the course of the disease. In this context, our study aims to investigate the infection by TgChBrUD2, a highly virulent atypical Brazilian strain of T. gondii, on the activation and polarisation of human macrophages. Human macrophage-like cells obtained from THP-1 cells were infected with TgChBrUD2, RH or ME49 strains of T. gondii to evaluate the impact of parasite infection on macrophage polarisation. Our results indicate that the TgChBrUD2 and ME49 strains of T. gondii induced a classic activation of human macrophages, which was confirmed by the high rate of spindle-shaped macrophages, low amount of urea and increase in the levels of nitrite, as well as the down-regulation of M2-markers. In contrast, RH strain promoted an alternative activation of macrophages. The polarisation of human macrophages towards an M1 subtype mediated by TgChBrUD2 and ME49 strains resulted in a low parasite burden, with high levels of IL-6 and MIF. Finally, the M2 subtype triggered by the RH strain culminated in a lower intracellular proliferation index. We concluded that the atypical (TgChBrUD2) and clonal (ME49) strains are able to elicit an M1 subtype, which results in parasitism control, partially explained by the high levels of IL-6 and MIF produced during the infection by these genotypes. In contrast, the clonal (RH) strain promoted a macrophage polarisation towards an M2 subtype, marked by a high parasite burden, with a weak modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, atypical strains can present different mechanisms of pathogenicity and transmissibility compared to clonal strains, as well as they can use distinct strategies to evade the host's immune response and ensure their survival.
This paper examines the relationship between Big Five personality dimensions and membership in political parties in the Czech Republic. A total of 194 members from eight major Czech political parties filled out the NEO Five-Factor Inventory to assess the Big Five personality dimensions. The mean scores of the respondents from each party were compared to the scores of a sample of the general Czech population. The members of three right-wing parties scored lower in agreeableness and the members of one left-wing party were higher in agreeableness than the general population, which is consistent with results from other countries. The Greens scored higher in openness than the general population, which is consistent with results from Germany. Members of former governing parties, which had long been out of power, scored lower in neuroticism than the general population. and V článku se zabýváme vztahem mezi osobností a členstvím v českých politických stranách. Sto devadesát čtyři členů osmi hlavních českých politických stran vyplnilo NEO – pětifaktorový osobnostní inventář. Průměrné skóry členů každé strany byly porovnány se skóry vzorku české populace. Členové tří pravicových stran skórovali níže než populace v přívětivosti, členové jedné levicové strany naopak v přívětivosti skórovali výše. To je v souladu se vztahem mezi levicovostí a přívětivostí zjištěným v jiných zemích (např. Itálie). Zelení skórovali výše než populace v otevřenosti, což souhlasí s podobným zjištěním v Německu. Členové dřívějších vládních stran, jejichž vládní angažmá skončilo před dlouhou dobou, skórovali níže v neuroticismu než česká populace.
Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois, 1818) (tarnished plant bug) is a serious pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the Delta region as compared to cotton in the Hills region of the state of Mississippi in USA. The reason for this is unclear but it was hypothesized that the plant cell wall degrading polygalacturonase enzyme system in the salivary glands of L. lineolaris from the Delta could be better adapted for cotton, which is grown more predominantly in the Delta region than in the Hills region. Expression analysis of three primary polygalacturonase genes (LlPG1, LlPG2 and LlPG3) was conducted in laboratory reared and field collected populations of L. lineolaris. Assay of polygalacturonase enzyme activity was also conducted to compare wild collected populations. Initial laboratory and field data revealed gene expression differences in sex, age, region, and host plant which guided the direction of our subsequent study during 2013 and 2014. Based on the results of this study, we propose that the three genes studied may not be reflective of the entire polygalacturonase enzyme system and may not be solely responsible for the observed adaptation of L. lineolaris to cotton in the Delta region than in the Hills region. Analyses also revealed that the expression of the three targeted polygalacturonase genes was affected by the host plant from which the insects were collected and that adults had higher polygalacturonase expression than nymphs. Taken together, our results provide strong evidence for developmental stage specific and host plant based change in expression of PG genes in the salivary glands of L. lineolaris. This, however, was not reflected in total polygalacturonase enzyme activity which was not significantly different between regions, hosts, sex, or developmental stage., Daniel Fleming, Natraj Krishnan, Fred Musser., and Obsahuje bibliografii