The mating behaviour of Pyrrhocoris apterus in the laboratory is well studied, but little is known about it under natural conditions. In natural populations in Central Europe, overwintered adults start copulating in March and continue until their death. Caged females, kept under natural conditions in the permanent presence of males, copulated repeatedly. Their mating activity increased sharply until early April, then very slowly until the end of June and then declined as the females die-off. Half of copulations were short (< 5 h) and only 9% were longer than 1 day. By contrast, in natural populations, mating activity (percentage of individuals involved in copula) reached its maximum in April and then decreased until early July, when the overwintered adults die. The decline in mating frequency (percentage of adults involved in copula) was associated with a decrease in the availability of receptive females towards the end of the mating period. For a female, repeated copulation is necessary because sperm is nearly depleted after insemination of 3-5 egg batches.
The trade-off between flight capability and reproduction is well known in adult males of insects with wing dimorphism but the reproductive advantage of short-winged (SW) males over long-winged (LW) males appears to vary across insect taxa. In the present study, we determined the difference in the mating ability of SW and LW males of Velarifictorus ornatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) in order to evaluate whether the SW male morph has a reproductive advantage. We found that the choice of a mate depended on the female. Compared with LW males, SW males had an obvious mating advantage when both SW and LW males courted females simultaneously, and that dealation significantly enhanced the mating ability of LW males. Losing the ability to produce songs reduced the mating advantage of SW males, thereby indicating that the greater mating advantage of SW males was related to the attractiveness of the song. In addition, the difference in the mating ability of LW and SW males was not related to body size or age. These results indicate that SW males of V. ornatus have a mating advantage over their LW counterparts because their underdeveloped flight muscles allow them to devote more resources to reproduction., Lv-Quan Zhao, Huai-Lin Chai, Hong-Jun Wu, Dao-Hong ZhuU., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The influence of female mating status on ovarian development of the ladybird, Propylea dissecta (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), was investigated under laboratory conditions. We assessed the extent to which ovariole development was affected by mating and for that we initially created a base line by observing age specific ovariole development. Results show that the number of follicles in each ovariole increased with the age of both virgin and mated females up to the age of 3 days, thereafter, no increase in number of follicles was recorded. Ovariole width also increased with age in both virgin and mated females up to 4 days, thereafter, no increase in ovariole width was recorded. The ovariole width of mated females was significantly greater than that of virgin females. Egg maturation and the egg load started to increase at the age of 8 days in virgin females. Thereafter, it increased with increase in female age. While in mated females, immature eggs were recorded in their ovarioles from the age of 1 to 2 days. In mated females, however, the increase in the number of mature eggs per ovariole and egg load started when they were 3 days old. Egg load continuously increased with increasing female age., Mhd Shahid, Arshi Siddiqui, Omkar, Geetanjali Mishra., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 is reported to increase the production of reactive oxygen species in patients with Chagas disease. Mitochondria dysfunction, host inflammatory response and inadequate antioxidant response are described as the main factors leading to oxidative stress during acute and chronic stages of the disease. The Seahorse XFe24 extracellular flux platform allows energy metabolism determination through mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis measurements. XFe24 platform can be used in in vitro models of T. cruzi-infected cells, which allow the assessment and even modulation of endogenous conditions of infected cells, generating readouts of real-time cellular bioenergetics changes. In this protocol, we standardised the use of XFe24 technology in T. cruzi infected AC16 cardiomyocytes and SGHPL-5 trophoblasts. In addition, we provide a list of optimised assay specifications, advantages and critical steps to be considered during the process. Cardiomyocytes and trophoblasts are attractive target cells to evaluate the metabolic environment in acute, chronic and congenital Chagas transmission scenarios.
Objective. Although Psychological capital has encountered increasing research interest in recent years, the scale for measuring PsyCap is absent in the Slovak language. In the present pre-registered study, the authors provide the initial results of the adaptation of the Revised Compound Psychological Capital Scale to the Slovak language. Method. A cross-sectional study with N = 262 people has been conducted. CPC-12R and measures of theoretically related constructs have been used.Results. With regards to evidence for factor validity, the authors found that the default higher-order model (PsyCap as a second-order factor & four first-order dimensions – hope, optimism, self-efficacy, and resilience) provided an acceptable fit to the data. With regards to evidence for convergent and divergent validity, the authors found that, as hypothesized, CPC-12R was related to a set of variables covering: A) a more specific work-related domain, B) more general well-being, and also C) more stable personality traits. More specifically, the scale correlated with work satisfaction, staying intentions, and three aspects of engagement (namely vigor, absorption, and dedication). Furthermore, the scale correlated with subjectively perceived stress, life satisfaction, and emotional components of habitual well-being. The scale was also related Submitted: 21. 1. 2022; P. K., Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Moyzesova 9, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia; e-mail: pavol.kacmar@upjs.skThis work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency, Contract no. APVV-20-0319, by the grant agency of The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic VEGA Contract no. 1/0853/21, and by the Czech Science Foundation no. GA20-03810S. Open data, analytical code and pre-registration can be found at: osf.io/b4j57/.to Big-five personality domains, such as extra-version, conscientiousness, and negative emotionality, but not to the aesthetic sensitivity facet (considered as evidence for divergent validity). With regard to evidence for concurrent validity, the authors found that CPC-12R was strongly related to PCQ12 and both scales were related to other variables of interest to a similar degree.Limitations. Cross-sectional design and convenience sampling are the main limitations of the present study. and Cieľ. Napriek tomu, že je v posledných rokoch venovanej Psychologickému kapitálu stále viac výskumnej pozornosti, škála, ktorá by tento konštrukt zachycovala v slovenskom jazyku, absentuje. V tejto predregistrovanej štúdii sa autori preto podujali na adaptovanie revidovanej Compound Psychological Capital scale (CPC-12R) do slovenského jazyka a na predstavenie úvodných faktorových, konvergentných, divergentných a súbežných dôkazov validity.Metódy. Výskumný súbor tvorilo 262 účastníkov. Boli využité CPC-12R a ďalšie škály, týkajúce sa rôznych oblastí (sféra práce, duševnej pohody a osobnostných čŕt). Výsledky. Čo sa týka dôkazov validity, týkajúcich sa faktorovej štruktúry, primárny model druhého rádu (PsyCap ako faktor druhého rádu a 4 subfaktory) ukázal predbežne akceptovateľné parametre. Čo sa týka konvergentných a divergentných dôkazov validity, výsledky ukázali, že škála súvisela s premennými z oblasti práce, všeobecnejšie chápanou duševnou pohodou, ako aj stabilnejšimi osobnostnými čŕtami. Presnejšie, škála bola vo vzťahu s pracovnou spokojnosťou (r=.45), úmyslom zotrvať v organizácii (r=.24), ako aj angažovanosťou a jej troma zložkami (r=.52, .36, a .24). Škala sa taktiež ukázala byť vo vzťahu so subjektívne vnímaným stresom (r=-.53), životnou spokojnosťou (r=.56) a viac emočne ladeným aspektom v intenciách pozitívneho (r=.50) a negatívneho (r=-.46) komponentu habituálnej životnej pohody. Okrem toho sa súvis preukázal s črtami modelu veľkej päťky, ako extraverzia (r=.44), svedomitosť (r=.36) a negatívna emocionalita (r=-.59), ale nie s estetickou senzitivitou (r=.02) (dôkaz divergentnej validity). Čo sa týka súbežných dôkazov validity, výsledky poukázali na to, že CPC-12R bolo v tesnom vzťahu s PCQ12 a to aj vtedy, keď autori zobrali do úvahy potenciálnu jazykovú bariéru účastníkov výskumu. Limity. Medzi hlavné limity patria predovšetkým prierezový charakter štúdie a príležitostný výber výskumného súboru. Závery. Štúdia prináša CPC-12R do slovenského jazykového prostredia a ponúka úvodne dôkazy pre viaceré druhy validity.
Objective. The Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire – Symptoms (CPAQ-S, 20 items) measures patients’ acceptance of their symptoms. The questionnaire was created by reframing the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-20 (CPAQ-20). This study describes the Czech validation of the full and short CPAQ-S forms.Sample and settings. The final sample consisted of 368 patients (71% female) recruited at seven clinical sites in the Czech Republic. Hypotheses. A hypothesized two-dimensional factor structure (Activity Engagement and Symptom Willingness) was tested together with other theoretically relevant factor solutions.Statistical analyses. An ordinal confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis were employed. Results. None of the theory-driven factor structures were confirmed in the CPAQ-S-20, and exploratory factor analysis did not yield any satisfactory factor solution. However, an eightitem version (CPAQ-S-8) was derived based on the factor analysis that was characterized by good psychometric properties even when retaining important facets of the expected two-factor structure (i.e., Activity Engagement and Symptom Willingness).Limitations. While the sample heterogeneity was conceived as a strength of the study, an underlying noninvariance across different types of complaints could have caused unsatisfactory functioning of the scale. and Cíl. Škála Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (20položková verze) měřící přijetí chronické bolesti byla adaptována k měření přijetí obecných chronických obtíží pacientů klinických zařízení: Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire – Symptoms. Tato studie popisuje českou adaptaci plné a zkrácené (CPAQ-S) verze škály. Vzorek. Finální vzorek sestával z 368 pacientů (71 % žen) ze sedmi klinických zařízení v České republice. Hypotézy. Předpokládaná dvoufaktorová struktura (Zapojení do aktivit navzdory bolesti a Ochota snášet symptomy) byla testována společně s dalšími teoreticky relevantními modely. Statistické analýzy. Byla použita ordinální konfirmační a následná explorační faktorová analýza. Výsledky. Žádný z testovaných faktorových modelů CPAQ-S-20 nebyl podpořen daty. Využití explorační faktorové analýzy nepřineslo žádnou přidanou informační hodnotu. Empiricky odvozená osmi-položková verze škály (CPAQ-S-8) byla charakterizována poměrně dobrými psychometrickými vlastnostmi i po zachování očekávané dvoufaktorové struktury tj., Zapojení do aktivit navzdory bolesti a Ochota snášet symptomy. Limity. Zatímco heterogenitu vzorku je možné vnímat jako silnou stránku studie, heterogenita různých typů obtíží, jimiž pacienti ve vzorku trpěli, mohla způsobit neuspokojivé fungování škály.
Leptin-melanocortin pathway plays an essential role in the body weight regulation. Enhanced melanocortin signaling in the hypothalamus results in both decreased food intake and increased energy expenditure. The discovery of monogenic obesities with dysfunction of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) greatly contributed to understanding of energy balance regulation. This review presents phenotypical characterization and prevalence of the MC4R gene mutations. Genome-wide association studies revealed that MC4R gene is significantly related not only to monogenic obesities but also to common obesity. An interaction of variants in the MC4R gene with fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene significantly increases the risk for obesity, particularly in adolescence. On the other hand, about 15 % of the MC4R gene variants result in a gain of function that protects against obesity and is associated with favorable metabolic profile. Long-term attempts to activate the MC4R have recently been finalized by a discovery of setmelanotide, a novel specific MC4R agonist that is devoid of untoward cardiovascular side-effects. The employment of specific MC4R agonists may open new horizons not only in the treatment of rare monogenic obesities but also in some common obesities where stimulation of MC4R could be achieved., Vojtěch Hainer, Irena Aldhoon Hainerová, Marie Kunešová, Radka Taxová Braunerová, Hana Zamrazilová, Běla Bendlová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Male reproductive functions are an important area affecting men´s overall health and well-being. However, during the last years, there has been observed increasing incidence of male reproductive issues. The radical growth has been recorded parallelly with a massive expanse of industrialization and agricultural chemigation. Many groups of experts have begun to identify several potential factors and substances that may have adverse effects on men´s reproductive health. Since then, xenobiotics have become a major concern of many scientific studies. There is evidence that most of them have multigenerational and transgenerational effects on reproductive health, which is a serious problem for our population. Bisphenol A could be considered as one of the most studied endocrine disruptors. Until now, several negative effects of bisphenol A were associated with reduced weight testes, histological alterations, impairment spermatogenesis, and steroidogenesis as well as with testes or prostate cancer. Due to convincing evidence, bisphenol A has been started to replace by its analogues such as bisphenol B, S, F, in order to eliminate and suppress the risk of exposure to bisphenol A. However, it seems that a lack of toxicological analyses allows using of these hazardous substances in daily life. Their harmful effect was confirmed by the animal in vitro and in vivo models, while the epidemiological studies monitoring the impact of bisphenol analogues on men's reproductive health are markedly limited. This review provides information about the effects of bisphenol on reproductive health in men. At the same time, it is focused on physiological aspects of sperm viability, steroid hormone secretion, sperm motility, or testes histology in relation to bisphenols exposure.
Východiska. Trenéři národního týmu vzpírání deklarují, že jejich svěřenci vykazují nedostatky v mentálních dovednostech, což vede k nevyrovnaným výkonům na vrcholných soutěžích. Na základě poznatků o efektivitě mentálního tréninku (MT) v jiných sportech je možné usoudit, že má MT potenciál ve vrcholovém vzpírání. Cíl. Cílem autorů bylo vytvořit a ověřit program založený na technikách mentálního tréninku implementovaných do sportovního tréninku vzpěračů juniorské kategorie České republiky a také reflektovat vliv temperamentových rysů závodníka na implementaci MT program v jeho sportovním tréninku. Metody. Byly provedeny polostrukturované rozhovory se vzpěračem a trenérem před a po realizaci programu mentálního tréninku. Byly použity psychodiagnostické testy – Test pozornosti d2 a TEZADO měřící pozornost resp. dimenze temperamentu, a to za účelem doplnění subjektivních výpovědí. Další metodou doplňující kvantitativní data byly sebehodnotící škály. Výsledky. Z výsledků vyplývá, že některé techniky mentálního tréninku měly pozitivní vliv na úroveň deficitních mentálních dovedností. Tyto mentální dovednosti jsou klíčové při přípravě reprezentanta vzpírání a mohou mít významný vliv na sportovní výkon. Nejvýznamnější rozdíl byl dosažen v dovednosti opětovného zaměření pozornosti a nejmenší v imaginaci. Podle probanda byl vliv temperamentových rysů na program mentálního tréninku významný v souvislosti s opětovným zaměřením pozornosti a zvládáním vzteku a agrese. Závěry. Techniky mentálního tréninku mohou pomoci špičkovým vzpěračům překonat nedostatky v mentálních dovednostech používaných ve sportovní přípravě, což může mít pozitivní vliv na výkonnost v tréninku i soutěžích. Aby byl program úspěšný, je důležité sebepoznání temperamentových rysů. and Background. According to the coaches, the weightlifters of the national team show deficiencies in mental skills, which leads to unbalanced performance at top competitions. Based on the knowledge of the efficacy of mental training (MT) from other sports, it is possible to conclude the potential of the MT in top weightlifting. Objective. The main aim of the authors was to create and verify a program based on mental training techniques implemented in sports training of weightlifter of the junior category of the Czech Republic, and also to reflect the influence of the competitor's temperamental dimensions on the implementation of the MT program in her sports training. Methods. Semi-structured interviews with the athlete and the coach before and after the implementation of the mental training program were conducted. A psychodiagnostic tests – Test of attention d2 and TEZADO measuring attention resp. temperamental dimensions were used in addition to subjective statements. Self-assessing scales were also used to obtain more quantitative data. Results. Results showed that some of the mental training techniques had a positive effect on deficient mental skills. These mental skills are crucial in the preparation of the weightlifting representative and can have a significant influence on a sports athlete's performance. The most significant difference was achieved in the skill of refocusing and the smallest difference in imagination. According to the subject, the influence of the temperamental dimensions on the mental training program had a significant impact in connection with the refocusing and anger coping. Conclusion. Mental training techniques can help top weightlifters to overcome the mental skills deficiencies used in their sports training, which may have a positive influence on performance in both training and competitions. Self-knowledge of the temperamental dimensions is significant to the success of the program.