The ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), has been extending its distribution in and around urban areas at higher latitudes in Japan over the past 100 years. Between 2003 and 2011, we investigated the seasonal occurrence, aphid prey and population dynamics of this species in an urban park in Osaka City, central Japan. We found that C. sexmaculata completes three generations a year in Osaka. Overwintered adults emerge in March or April and produce two (or rarely one) generations by summer. Second-generation adults aestivate and subsequently produce another generation in autumn. This species feeds on five species of aphids that infest planted shrubs and alien weeds throughout the vegetative season. We analyzed the association between accumulated temperature and when overwintered adults first emerged. In addition, we determined the association between their time of emergence, peak abundance and last occurrence, and meteorological conditions. There was no association between the sum of effective temperatures and termination of adult overwintering. There was, however, an association between first occurrence and peak abundance, and climatic conditions, such as warm temperatures or low humidity. This species maintained a stable population in an urban park by becoming quiescent when climatic conditions were unfavourable or prey was scarce. We discussed these findings in relation to urban environmental factors, such as climate, food conditions and vegetation., Yasuko Kawakami, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kazunori Ohashi., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Attention deficit disorder is a neurodevelop-mental disorder that affects the mental and social functioning of an individual not only in child-hood. Its impact on higher education and work life has been studied intensively over the last two decades. This review aims to analyse, which variables related to attention deficit disorder are studied among university students, which meth-ods are used to identify individuals with atten-tion deficit disorder symptoms in higher educa-tion, and which inhibitors and facilitators may affect university studies of individuals with at-tention deficit disorder symptomatology. Authors searched Web of Science – Core Col-lection from 1. 1. 2011 to 31. 12. 2020 for stud-ies that investigated study-related variables in students with attention deficit disorder. The initial search identified 307 studies, 41 of them were eligible for further analysis. To identify the individuals with attention deficit disorder, the researchers used a combination of methods including self-report of previously diagnosed disorder, expert confirmation, and self-report scales of attention deficit disorder symptoms. The studied variables were merged into seven content categories. The results of the studies show that university students with attention def-icit disorders make a vulnerable group, studies mainly focused on inhibiting factors rather than those that facilitate students ́ performance and success. The further research should focus on the facilitating variables and the effectiveness of accommodations and interventions provided by universities for this particular target group of students. and Porucha pozornosti je neurovývinová porucha, ktorá ovplyvňuje mentálne a sociálne fungo-vanie jednotlivca nielen v detstve. Jej vplyv na vysokoškolské vzdelávanie a pracovný život sa v ostatných dvoch desaťročiach intenzívne štu-duje. Cieľom tohto prehľadu bolo analyzovať, ktoré premenné súvisiace s poruchou pozornosti sa skúmajú u vysokoškolských študentov, ktoré metódy sa používajú na identifikáciu jednot-livcov so symptómami poruchy pozornosti vo vysokoškolskom vzdelávaní, a ktoré inhibítory a facilitátory môžu ovplyvniť vysokoškolské štúdium osôb so symptómami porúch pozornos-ti. Na základe rešerše z databázy Web of Scien-ce-Core Collection za obdobie 1. 1. 2011 – 31. 12. 2020 autorky identifikovali štúdie, ktoré skúmali premenné súvisiace s vysokoškolským štúdiom osôb s poruchou pozornosti. Z pôvodne identifikovaných 307 štúdií do prehľadu zaradili 41.Na identifikáciu jednotlivcov s poruchou pozor-nosti výskumníci používali kombináciu metód vrátane vlastného deklarovania diagnostikova-nej poruchy, potvrdenia odborníkom a sebahod-notiacich škál symptómov poruchy pozornosti. Skúmané premenné boli zlúčené do siedmich obsahových kategórií. Výsledky ukazujú, že vysokoškolskí študenti s poruchami pozornosti sú zraniteľnou skupinou. Štúdie sa zameriavali skôr na inhibujúce faktory než na faktory, ktoré facilitujú akademický výkon a úspešnosť štu-dentov s poruchou pozornosti. Ďalší výskum by sa mal zamerať na facilitujúce premenné a efek-tivitu akomodácií a intervencií, ktoré vysoké školy poskytujú tejto skupine študentov.
The action of the medicinal plant Tribulus terrestris (TT) on bovine ovarian cell functions, as well as the protective potential of TT against xylene (X) action, remain unknown. The aim of the present in vitro study was to elucidate the influence of TT, X and their combination on basic bovine ovarian cell functions. For this purpose, we examined the effect of TT (at doses of 0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml), X (at 20 μg/ml) and the combination of TT + X (at these doses) on proliferation, apoptosis and hormone release by cultured bovine ovarian granulosa cells. Markers of proliferation (accumulation of PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of Bax) and the release of hormones (progesterone, testosterone and insulin-like growth factor I, IGF-I) were analyzed by quantitative immunocytochemistry and RIA, respectively. TT addition was able to stimulate proliferation and testosterone release and inhibit apoptosis and progesterone output. The addition of X alone stimulated proliferation, apoptosis and IGF-I release and inhibited progesterone and testosterone release by ovarian cells. TT was able to modify X effects: it prevented the antiproliferative effect of X, induced the proapoptotic action of X, and promoted X action on progesterone but not testosterone or IGF-I release. Taken together, our observations represent the first demonstration that TT can be a promoter of ovarian cell functions (a stimulator of proliferation and a suppressor of apoptosis) and a regulator of ovarian steroidogenesis. X can increase ovarian cell proliferation and IGF-I release and inhibit ovarian steroidogenesis. These effects could explain its antireproductive and cancer actions. The ability of TT to modify X action on proliferation and apoptosis indicates that TT might be a natural protector against some ovarian cell disorders associated with X action on proliferation and apoptosis, but it can also promote its adverse effects on progesterone release.
The effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators remains low despite innovations. One of the most robust predictors of psychotherapy effectivity is working alliance, which is said to be crucial in IPV perpetrator treatment by many authors. However, there is no review examining working alliance in the treatment of this population. The aim of this systematic review is to answer the question: what do we know about the working alliance of therapists and IPV peretrators? Results of 13 studies included in this review show that working alliance between the therapist and patient most likely contributes to the treatment effectivity measured by reduction of physical and psychological violence, and also increases group cohesion and the chance to complete the treatment. and Efektivita psychoterapeutických intervencí zacílených na původce intimního partnerského násilí navzdory inovacím zůstává nízká. Jedním z nejrobustnějších prediktorů efektivity psychoterapie je pracovní aliance, kterou jako klíčovou v psychoterapii původců násilí označuje mnoho autorů. Neexistuje však žádná přehledová studie, která zkoumá pracovní alianci u této populace. Cílem této systematické přehledové studie je odpovědět na otázku, co z dosavadních výzkumů víme o pracovní alianci terapeutů a původců intimního partnerského násilí. Výsledky 13 studií zahrnutých v této práci ukazují, že pracovní aliance mezi klientem a terapeutem pravděpodobně přispívá k lepšímu výsledku, tedy redukci fyzického a psychického násilí, a také k větší pravděpodobnosti dokončení terapie nebo skupinové kohezi.
Vaccination has been presented as a probable solution to the ongoing pandemic of covid-19 and as such has been applied in the domestic context, and at the moment as a voluntary vaccination. However, there are a number of legal issues and implications associated with vaccination, and the present article seeks to bring at least some of these into focus. Attention is given to the nature of vaccination as a public administration and health service measure, prioritisation in the selection of persons for vaccination, the phenomenon of refusal to vaccinate, the public administration's vaccination campaign, the issue of distinguishing between vaccinated and unvaccinated in the imposition of various restrictions (and the related issue of discrimination on this basis), the legal possibility of compulsory vaccination, the related issue of conscientious objection and, finally, liability for harm caused by covid-19 vaccination. However, given its scope, the text is certainly not in any sense comprehensive. and Očkování je označováno jako pravděpodobné řešení stále aktuální pandemie onemocnění covid-19 a jako takové je uplatňováno také v domácím kontextu, a to v současnosti jako očkování dobrovolné. S tímto očkováním však souvisí řada právních otázek a souvislostí, přičemž předložený článek usiluje o přiblížení alespoň některých z nich. Pozornost je věnována otázkám povahy očkování jako opatření veřejné správy a zdravotní služby, prioritizace při výběru osob k očkování, fenoménu odmítání očkování, očkovací kampaně veřejné správy, problematiky rozlišování mezi očkovanými a neočkovanými při ukládání různých omezení (a související otázce diskriminace na tomto základu), právní možnosti povinného očkování, navazující problematiky výhrady svědomí a konečně odpovědnosti za újmu způsobenou očkováním proti covidu-19. S ohledem na svou šíři však text jistě není jakkoli vyčerpávající.
This article is focused on the examination of the legal nature of the informed consent and its consequences. The first part of this article discusses whether informed consent is juridicial act and the conditions of the validity such as competence, information and voluntariness. A special attention is given to the analysis of the scope of the medical disclosure and to the legal consequences of the failure to warn. Further this article analyses the scope of the civil liability in the cases of the improper medical disclosure. and Tento článek se zabývá právní povahou informovaného souhlasu a následky neúplného poučení z hlediska civilního práva. První část článku se věnuje problematice právního jednání a jeho náležitostí a zasazuje je do problematiky informovaného souhlasu s poskytováním zdravotních služeb. Následně se článek zabývá problematikou vad právního jednání a jejich důsledků pro jeho platnost a vznik povinnosti k náhradě újmy. Existence povinnosti k náhradě újmy je pak podrobně analyzována s ohledem na odlišnost situací, kdy informovaný souhlas nebyl vůbec udělen nebo byl udělen po vadně provedeném poučení. Cílem tohoto článku je poskytnout ucelenější teoretickou analýzu povahy informovaného souhlasu a jeho zakotvení v systematice civilního práva.
Our aim was to investigate whether hyperthermia before exercise protects against exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage. Two hyperthermia protocols were evaluated. In the first, male ICR mice were exposed to 30 min of whole-body heat in an environmental chamber at an ambient temperature of 42 °C. Heat-exposed and non-heat-exposed mice subsequently completed 60 min of downhill running on a treadmill, 24 h after exposure. Heat exposure significantly increased HSP70 and HSP25 content in the soleus muscle compared to controls. Plasma creatine kinase, muscle β-glucuronidase, and histochemical (hematoxylin and eosin stain) analysis demonstrated that muscle damage was lower in the heatexposed mice than in the non-heat-exposed mice. In the second, the effect of regional heating of the legs, by microwave diathermy, on the prevention of exercise-induced muscle damage was evaluated in male Wistar rats. Microwave-treated and nonmicrowave-treated rats again completed the running protocol 24 h after exposure. Microwave diathermy increased the muscle temperature to 40 °C, significantly increased HSP70 and HSP25 content in the soleus muscle, and significantly attenuated exercise-induced muscle damage. Therefore, hyperthermia before exercise increases skeletal muscle HSPs and attenuates the risk of exercise-induced muscle injury.
Macrolophus pygmaeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an important predator of pests of horticultural crops and here its ability as a predator of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is addressed for the first time. The percentage predation of the different aphid instars and the number partially consumed were studied. Our results, obtained using choice and no-choice tests, revealed that M. pygmaeus caught and consumed more young than later instars of A. pisum, which confirms results of previous studies using other species of aphids. We also studied the interactions between predators (male/female) foraging in the same patch. When the prey/predator ratio is kept constant at 10 : 1 the average percentage of aphids completely consumed by individual females or males does not change with increase in the number of foraging predators. However, the number of partially consumed aphids decreased when females shared the same patch. In contrast, there was an increase in the number of aphids partially consumed when two males shared the same patch. The results were discussed in terms of potential predator foraging strategies since intraspecific competition is a key factor modulating the dynamics of prey-predator systems., Juliana Durán Prieto, Vincenzo Trotta, Paolo Fanti, Cristina Castañé, Donatella Battaglia., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Identification of factors that facilitate successful completion of invasion process stages by nonnative species is a major priority among invasion biologists. Stage-based analyses of non-native fish species traits have been conducted for several regions, but not for a subtropical non-native species hotspot like peninsular Florida. Typically, establishment is the first stage of analysis but Florida is home to many nonnative fish species that have successfully reproduced, yet failed to establish. Therefore, we used life history traits and three model types (categorical and regression trees, logistic regression, and discriminant analysis) to predict successful reproduction and establishment by non-native fishes in peninsular Florida. Statistical models for predicting both successful reproduction and establishment suggested parental care was the most important variable, but other traits included in the best models differ between the two stages. The high level of parental care in successful non-native fishes of Florida is unique among non-native freshwater fish faunas across the United States. Other studies also found that suites of traits used to predict various stages of the invasion process differ, suggesting that stage-based analyses provide a good foundation for better understanding invasion processes. Our results may be applied to stage-based risk screening tools for nonnative fishes in Florida.
Ankylosing spondylarthritis (AS) is associated falsely increased lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD). New tool for discrimination of subjects at fracture risk is needed. Vertebral fracture (VF) prediction of routine methods for osteoporosis assessment, BMD and trabecular bone score (TBS), in patients with AS. Cross-sectional study of all AS patients regularly followed at the rheumatology outpatient clinics of two centers. All subjects undergone BMD measurement at lumbar spine (LS), total hip (TH) and femoral neck (FN) using Hologic® Horizon device. TBS at L1-4 in all subjects by TBS InSight® software were assessed. Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) was performed using the lateral spine imaging IVA™ and graded using Genant semi-quantitative approach. 119 AS subjects (90 males/29 females), mean age 47.6 years were included in the study. In 20 patients 34 VFs were detected, from whom 7 patients had multiple fractures. Subjects with VF were older and had lower FN BMD, TBS in comparison to non-VF subjects. No differences in LS BMD, FN BMD or BASDAI between groups were observed. Among patients with VF only 3 had T-score less than -2.5 but 7 has TBS less than 1.23 which means highly degraded microarchitecture. AS patients with VF have lower TBS and FN BMD in comparison to non-VF subjects. In addition, TBS was able to detect 20 % more VFs than BMD. Therefore, TBS seems promising in VF discrimination among patients with AS., Zdenko Killinger, Martin Kužma, Soňa Tomková, Kristína Brázdilová, Peter Jackuliak, Juraj Payer., and Obsahuje bibliografii