Total superoxide dismutase (total SOD), copper zinc containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD), and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione- S-transferase (GST) activities as well as ascorbic acid (AsA), and vitamin E (vit E) concentrations were analysed in the liver of rats exposed to cadmium (15 mg Cd/day/kg), selenium (7 fig Se/day/kg), and to cadmium + selenium (15 mg Cd + 7 ptg Se/day/kg), and in control animals. Cadmium caused a decrease of total SOD, Mn SOD, CAT and GSH-Px but an increase of GST activity in the liver of rats. Contrary to cadmium, selenium caused a significant increase of the activity of these enzymes except for GSH-Px. By concomitant exposure to both cadmium and selenium, the toxic effects of cadmium on the activity of mentioned enzymes we abolished. In all exposed groups, the activity of enzyme glutathione-S-transferase was enhanced, indicating its increased role in prevention of lipid peroxidation. Cadmium decreased the concentration of AsA and increased the concentration of vitamin E in the liver, while selenium increased the concentration of both vitamins. However, by concomitant administration of cadmium and selenium, these changes were diminished and tended to reach control values.
A higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) achieved by norepinephrine up-titration may improve organ blood flow in critically ill, whereas norepinephrine-induced afterload rise might worsen myocardial function. Our aim was to assess the effects of norepinephrine dose titration on global hemodynamics in cardiogenic shock. We prospectively evaluated 12 mechanically ventilated euvolemic patients (aged 67±12 years) in cardiogenic shock (10 patients acute myocardial infarction, 1 patient dilated cardiomyopathy, 1 patient decompensated aortic stenosis). Hemodynamic monitoring included arterial and Swan-Ganz catheters. The first data were obtained at MAP of 65 mm Hg, then the norepinephrine dose was increased over 40 min to achieve MAP of 85 mm Hg. Finally, the norepinephrine-dose was tapered over 40 min to achieve MAP of 65 mm Hg. Norepinephrine up-titration increased MAP to the predefined values in all patients with concomitant mild increase in filling pressures and heart rate. Systemic vascular resistance increased, whereas cardiac output remained unchanged. During norepinephrine down-titration, all hemodynamic parameters returned to baseline values. We observed no changes in lactate levels and mixed venous oxygen saturation. Our data suggest that short-term norepinephrine dose up-titration in cardiogenic shock patients treated or pretreated with inotropes was tolerated well by the diseased heart., R. Rokyta, Jr ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of short-term endurance training on plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) and on in vitro platelet aggregation and ATP release. Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta of rats following short-term treadmill exercise (25 m/min, 0 % grade, 30 min) for three consecutive days, as well as in non-exercised control group. Platelet aggregation and platelet ATP release were evaluated by impedance and bioluminescence techniques, respectively. Plasma TAS was measured spectrophotometrically. Plasma TAS was higher and ADP-induced platelet ATP release was lower in the short-term training group with respect to the control group (p<0.001). Significant negative correlation (r = -0.56, p<0.05) was found between plasma TAS and ADP-induced platelet ATP release. Neither ADP- and collagen-induced maximum aggregation rate nor collagen-induced platelet ATP release were significantly different between the groups. According to these results, short-term training caused an alteration in platelet functions limited to the secretion response, which may be related to the oxidant/antioxidant balance changes favoring the antioxidants. The improved plasma total antioxidant capacity was possibly sufficient to prevent exercise-induced oxidative damage, and the adaptive response of platelets might be associated with enhanced antioxidant status.
One of the factors affecting the effectiveness of predatory coccinellids in an aphid infested crop is the food specificity of the predator. The response towards six species of aphids (Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) was therefore tested in one of the most abundant aphidophagous coccinellids in Bulgaria - Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). All aphid species studied (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, Aphis craccivora Koch, Eucallipterus tiliae (L.), Euceraphis betulae (L.), Phorodon humuli (Schrank) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) cultured on transgenic Bt and conventional (non-Bt) potatoes were suitable food according to the rate of larval development, larval mortality and adult fresh weight. Females of P. quatuordecimpunctata fed with M. persicae cultured on Bt potato, or on non-Bt potato or on a mixture of M. persicae from Bt potatoes and A. craccivora, laid a little more eggs than those fed only with A. craccivora.
The experiments of stemflow of two semiarid shrubs (Caragana korshinskii and Hippophae rhamnoides) and its effect on soil water enhancement were conducted from 1st May to 30th September of 2009–2013 in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Stemflow values in C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides averaged 6.7% and 2.4% of total rainfall. The rainfall threshold for stemflow generation was 0.5 and 2.5 mm for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides. When rainfall was less than 17.0 mm, the funnelling ratios were highly variable, however, stable funnelling ratios were found for rainfall greater than 17.0 mm for C. korshinskii. The funnelling ratios of H. rhamnoides first increased until a threshold value of 10.0 mm and then the funnelling ratios begin stabilize. The wetting front depths in the area around stem was 1.4–6.7 and 1.3–2.9 times deeper than area outside the canopy for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides. Soil moisture at soil depth 0–200 cm was 25.6% and 23.4% higher in soil around stem than that outside canopy for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides. The wetting front advanced to depths of 120 and 100 cm in the area around stem and to depths of 50 cm in the area outside the canopy for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides suggested that more rain water can be conserved into the deep soil layers through shrub stemflow. Soil moisture was enhanced in the area outside the shrub canopy, only when rainfall depth is > 4.7 and 5.1 mm, which is an effective rainfall for the area for C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides. While for the area around stem of C. korshinskii and H. rhamnoides, the corresponding threshold values are 3.2 and 4.3 mm. These results confirmed that stemflow has a positive effect on soil moisture balance of the root zone and the enhancement in soil moisture of deeper soil layers.
As a common waterfront and wet environment tree species, Salix babylonica shows a great potential for restoration of contaminated water or soil environments, such as phenol-polluted water. However, studies on such remediation effects have not been carried out yet. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of phenols on photosynthesis of S. babylonica. Photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of S. babylonica cuttings were determined in hydroponic experiment, where six phenol concentrations was used (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg L-1). Phenol presence inhibited photosynthesis of S. babylonica significantly, as the net photosynthetic rate (PN),
light-saturated net photosynthetic rate, apparent quantum yield, maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, and effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry declined significantly. The higher the concentration of phenol solution, the greater inhibition of photosynthesis occurred. Our data indicated that nonstomatal limitation was responsible for the reduction of PN. S. babylonica should be used to remediate phenol-contaminated water, when the concentration of phenol solution is lower than 200 mg L-1. Otherwise, the efficiency of photosynthesis of S. babylonica would decrease markedly. However, further study is needed to determine the maximum concentration of phenol that S. babylonica can tolerate to maintain normal photosynthetic activity., H. Li, G. C. Zhang, H. C. Xie, K. Li, S. Y. Zhang., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The efficacy of fluoride therapy of osteoporosis remains a controversial issue, specially in clinical trials. The effect of fluoride on heterotopic bone formation in mice was analyzed with respect to the dose of the drug administered. Thirty days after implantation of demineralized bone matrix, the ash weight and mineral content of implants from animals receiving the highest dose of fluoride was approximately 49 % lower than that of the controls. Thirty days of fluoride administration had no effect on blood composition. On the other hand, small concentrations of fluoride ions increased the dry and ash weight of implants (36 %) and promoted bone mineralization. The results derived from this study may be directly applicable to the treatment of osteoporosis with fluoride and support our clinical trials.
For any $x\in (0,1]$, let $$ x=\frac {1}{d_1}+\frac {1}{d_1(d_1-1)d_2}+\dots +\frac {1}{d_1(d_1-1) \dots d_{n-1}(d_{n-1}-1)d_{n}}+\dots $$ be its Lüroth expansion. Denote by ${P_n(x)}/{Q_n(x)}$ the partial sum of the first $n$ terms in the above series and call it the $n$th convergent of $x$ in the Lüroth expansion. This paper is concerned with the efficiency of approximating real numbers by their convergents $\{{P_n(x)}/{Q_n(x)}\}_{n\ge 1}$ in the Lüroth expansion. It is shown that almost no points can have convergents as the optimal approximation for infinitely many times in the Lüroth expansion. Consequently, Hausdorff dimension is introduced to quantify the set of real numbers which can be well approximated by their convergents in the Lüroth expansion, namely the following Jarník-like set: $\{x\in (0,1]\colon |x-{P_n(x)}/{Q_n(x)}|<{1}/{Q_n(x)^{\nu +1}} \text{infinitely often}\}$ for any $\nu \ge 1$.
The long-term electrocardiographic recording with retrospective evaluation (Holter system) has been widely used not only in cardiology, but also in other disciplines of internal medicine and in pharmaceutical research. The Holter system can be used in mini-pig, sheep, dog, cat, rabbit, ferret, and rat. In this paper hardware, software, and anesthesia requirements are summarized with respect to the experimental work with various species. As the Holter systems work in bipolar mode, the use of bipolar leads in sagittal and transversal planes has been proved to be the most appropriate because of large amplitude of QRS complex and uncomplicated consequent automatic analysis of the record. In conclusion, Holter electrocardiography represents a simple and applicable method for monitoring the electrical activity of the heart in small animals’ experimental studies., P. Scheer ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy