The article presents the construction of an agent-based model of segregation step by step. The article is intended as a tutorial for the reader’s first steps with agent-based modeling. The model is programmed in the NetLogo software and provided in two versions: first as an online executable version, for first-impression purposes, and second as NetLogo code, for serious experiments and further model improvements by the reader. The article describes the user interface and source code of the model in close detail. Most of the article is dedicated to careful, in-depth explanation of the NetLogo code. The model aims to answer Schelling’s classical question: "Is it possible to obtain an ethnically segregated structure of a town with relatively tolerant inhabitants?" The model also aims to answer the question: "Does size of recognized neighbourhood suppress tendency to segregation?" Analysis of the data produced by the model informs us that the tendency to segregation decreased with larger recognized neighbourhood - the larger the neighbourhood the lower the number of inhabitants living in an ethnically homogenous neighbourhood. However, size of recognized neighbourhood did not moderate the relationship between intolerance and tendency to segregation - the slope of the relationship was still the same (or even steeper for larger neighbourhoods)., František Kalvas., and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Inconclusive preoperative imaging is a strong predictor of multiglandular parathyroid disease (MGD) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). MGD was investigated in a cohort of 17 patients with PHPT (mean age 64.9 years, total calcium 2.75 mmol/l and parathyroid hormone (PTH) 113.3 ng/l) who underwent 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT (FCH) imaging before surgery. The initial MIBI SPECT scintigraphy (MIBI) and/or neck ultrasound were not conclusive or did not localize all pathological parathyroid glands, and PHPT persisted after surgery. Sporadic MGD was present in 4 of 17 patients with PHPT (24 %). In 3 of 4 patients with MGD, FCH correctly localized 6 pathological parathyroid glands and surgery was successful. Excised parathyroid glands were smaller (p <0.02) and often hyperplastic in MGD than in single gland disease. In two individuals with MGD, excision of a hyperplastic parathyroid gland led to a false positive decline in intraoperative PTH and/or postoperative serum calcium. Although in one patient it was associated with partial false negativity, parathyroid imaging with FCH seemed to be superior to neck ultrasound and/or MIBI scintigraphy in MGD.
Giardiasis is a common gastrointestinal infection of humans and animals with a worldwide distribution. Eight genetic groups (known as assemblages A to H) are currently recognised within the species complex of Giardia duodenalis (Lambl, 1859), of which assemblages A and B are responsible for infection of humans and other mammalian hosts. Genotyping data on giardiasis are not available from Slovenia. In this work, we have characterised isolates of G. duodenalis from 85 human symptomatic cases collected during 2002-2013. Genomic DNAs were first tested by a real-time (rt) PCR assay and then by conventional PCR at three loci (beta-giardin, bg; triose phosphate isomerase, tpi; and glutamate dehydrogenase, gdh). We found that the threshold cycle (Ct) values in rt-PCR testing were higher for samples collected during 2002-2005 and that this was paralleled by a low amplification rate in conventional PCR (6 of 32, i.e. 19%). In contrast, lower Ct values and higher amplification rate (45 of 53; 85%) were observed for samples collected during 2006-2013, suggesting an adverse effect of prolonged freezing of stools. Assemblages A and B were found with an almost identical frequency in the 51 genotyped samples. In agreement with previous studies, sequences from assemblage B isolates were characterised by larger genetic variability and by the presence of heterogeneous positions, which made assignment to specific genotypes difficult. Less variability was observed in sequences from assemblage A isolates, which belonged to the human-specific subassemblage AII. These data showed that the genotypes of G. duodenalis that circulate in humans in Slovenia are similar to those previously identified in Europe., Barbara Šoba, Sabina Islamović, Miha Skvarč, Simone M. Cacciò., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Multimammate mice of the genus Mastomys are widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and occur in a wide range of open habitats. Representatives of this genus are the most common African rodents, the main vertebrate agricultural pests and vectors of human pathogens. In Ethiopia, the biogeographically most complex eastern African country, several species have been reported, but their distribution has never been described because of their cryptic morphology. Here we present genetically identified species from 377 Ethiopian Mastomys specimens and analyse their distributional patterns. The genus, represented by four species, inhabits most of the country, with the exception of the highest mountains and dry areas, such as the Afar triangle and the Somali region. For the first time we document M. kollmannspergeri from a single locality in the northernmost part of Ethiopia. Three previously recorded species are more widespread – M. erythroleucus was found at 32 localities, M. natalensis at 13 localities and the Ethiopian endemic species M. awashensis at 18 localities. and Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences indicates that only one of the six phylogroups of M. natalensis and one of the four phylogroups of M. erythroleucus are represented in Ethiopia. Haplotype network analysis indicates two subclades of Ethiopian M. erythroleucus separated by the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Using presence records, we constructed distribution models for the species and analysed the level of overlap. The predicted distribution shows most overlap between M. awashensis and M. natalensis, which is in agreement with empirical data as both species were found in sympatry at four localities. A medium level of overlap was predicted between M. natalensis and M. erythroleucus and both species were found co-existing at two localities. This study not only presents the first detailed distribution of cryptic Mastomys species, but also clearly identifies multimammate mice as model taxa for future evolutionary studies (e.g. the evolution of coexistence or host-parasite interactions) and indicates the regions suitable for such studies.
The taxonomy of Diplectanum Diesing, 1858, a genus of monopisthocotylean monogeneans, remains unsettled and needs to be revised based on new morphological criteria. Recent studies in monopisthocotyleans have shown that the muscle arrangement in the posterior attachment organ (haptor) differs between congeneric species and can be used as an additional criterion in genus-level taxonomy. To explore the possibility of using the haptoral musculature and nervous system in the taxonomy of Diplectanum, we conducted a detailed confocal-microscopy study of three species of Diplectanum (D. aculeatum Parona et Perugia, 1889, D. sciaenae van Beneden et Hesse, 1863 and D. similis Bychowsky, 1957) with phalloidin staining for muscle and indirect immunostaining for 5HT and FMRFamide. A further goal was to clarify the functional mechanics of the haptor and the role of its essential components (squamodiscs and anchors) in attachment to the host. The system of connecting bars and gaffing anchors was found to have a complex musculature consisting of 23 muscles in D. aculeatum and D. sciaenae, and 21 muscles in D. similis. The squamodiscs were shown to be operated by several groups of muscles attached primarily to the area termed the squamodisc fulcrum. Most of the haptoral musculature is identical in D. aculeatum and D. sciaenae and these species differ only in the presence of a muscle sheath around the tissue strand between the squamodiscs in D. sciaenae and in the different patterns of superficial squamodisc muscles. Diplectanum similis shows more significant differences from the other two species: besides lacking two of the haptoral muscles, it also differs in the shapes and arrangement of several other muscles. The nervous system of all three species conforms to the general pattern typical for the Dactylogyroidea and shows little variation between species., Anatoly A. Petrov, Evgenija V. Dmitrieva, Maryana P. Popyuk, Pavel I. Gerasev, Sergey A. Petrov., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In the context of the global pandemic of the Covid-19 disease, the executive power of the Czech Republic imposed for the first time in the spring of 2020 an obligation on inpatient care providers and providers of inpatient follow-up and long-term care, including follow-up intensive care, to stop accepting new patients for the purpose of providing planned care pursuant to Section 5/1 letter d) of Act No. 372/2011 Coll., “o zdravotních službách a podmínkách jejich poskytování, v platném znění” (hereinafter referred to as the “Health Services Act”). Leaving aside the very difficult decisions related to what care can be deferred (without relevant statutory guidance), this measure made sense in part for a short period of time. However, in a situation where such a measure was in force not only in the spring, but subsequently thereafter from 21 October 2020 until (at the date of writing the abstract with certainty) 21 March 2021, i.e. more than half of the relevant annual period, we find ourselves in a very different situation. Endless postponement of planned care is not possible, nor is a one-off or step increase in planned care, which currently leads to selection or even (illegal) triage of patients, whereby the executive forces doctors to choose for whom, in conjunction with other health indicators, care can be further postponed (for how long, in fact) and for whom action should be taken, without giving them clear legal support for this choice. The aim of this article will therefore be to draw attention to the late effects of ad hoc measures and the need to anticipate them when drafting the relevant legislation. and V rámci celosvětové pandemie onemocnění covid-19 uložila výkonná moc v České republice na jaře 2020 poprvé poskytovatelům lůžkové péče a poskytovatelům lůžkové péče následné a dlouhodobé, včetně následné intenzivní péče, povinnost, aby zastavili příjem nových pacientů za účelem poskytování plánované péče dle § 5 odst. 1 písm. d) zákona č. 372/2011 Sb., o zdravotních službách a podmínkách jejich poskytování, v platném znění (dále jen „zákon o zdravotních službách“). Pomineme-li velmi těžké rozhodování spojené s tím, jakou péči lze odložit (bez relevantního zákonného návodu), dávalo toto opatření částečně na krátkou dobu smysl. V situaci, kdy však takové opatření platilo nejen na jaře, ale následně poté od 21. října 2020 do (ke dni sepsání abstraktu s jistotou) do 21. března 2021, tedy více než polovinu z relevantního ročního období, dostáváme se do zcela odlišné situace. Nekonečné odkládání plánované péče není možné, stejně jako není možné jednorázové ani skokové navýšení plánované péče, což aktuálně vede k selekci, případně až k (nezákonné) triage pacientů, kdy výkonná moc lékaře nutí volit, u koho je ve spojení s dalšími indikátory zdravotního stavu možné péči dále odkládat (jak dlouho vlastně) a u koho je třeba konat, aniž by jim pro tuto volbu dávali jasné zákonné pomůcky či vůbec právní oporu. Cílem článku bude tedy upozornění na pozdní dopady ad hoc přijímaných opatření a nutnost jejich předvídání již při tvoření příslušné legislativy.
N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) is an abundant mRNA modification affecting mRNA stability and protein expression. It is a highly dynamic process, and its outcomes during postnatal heart development are poorly understood. Here we studied m6 A machinery in the left ventricular myocardium of Fisher344 male and female rats (postnatal days one to ninety; P1-P90) using Western Blot. A downward pattern of target protein levels (demethylases FTO and ALKBH5, methyltransferase METTL3, reader YTHDF2) was revealed in male and female rats during postnatal development. On P1, the FTO protein level was significantly higher in males compared to females.
Two species of Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 were found in yellow catfish Tachysurus fulvidraco (Richardson). A species of Myxobolus infecting the gills was morphologically identified as Myxobolus voremkhai (Akhmerov, 1960) and it was characterised here with additional morphological and molecular data. The other species of Myxobolus infecting the host's skin did not conform to any known myxosporean species. It is characterised by the presence of round, black or milky white plasmodia with black spots. Myxospores are pyriform in frontal view and lemon-shaped in lateral view, measuring 12.9-16.2 μm (14.6 ± 0.7 μm) in length, 8.1-10.8 μm (9.4 ± 0.5 μm) in width, and 6.1-8.1 μm (7.0 ± 0.4 μm) in thickness. Two ampullaceous polar capsules are slightly unequal in size, larger polar capsule 7.2-9.5 μm (7.9 ± 0.4 μm) long by 3.0-3.9 μm (3.5 ± 0.2 μm) wide, smaller capsule 6.9-8.0 μm (7.4 ± 0.3 μm) long by 2.9-3.9 μm (3.4 ± 0.2 μm) wide. Polar filaments are coiled with seven to nine turns. Histologically, the plasmodia develop in the stratum spongiosum of skin dermis, resulting in epithelial cell shedding and immunological cell infiltration. Given the morphological and molecular differences between this species and other species of Myxobolus, we proposed the name of Myxobolus pseudowulii sp. n. for this parasite from the skin of yellow catfish. Interestingly, some spores of the new species possess Henneguya-like caudal appendages. Phylogenetically, M. pseudowulii sp. n. and M. voremkhai infecting yellow catfish group together in one clade with other parasites of Siluriformes, indicating that parasites clustering according to the fish host order may be an important factor affecting the evolution of species within the Myxobolus clade., Bo Zhang, Yanhua Zhai, Yang Liu, Zemao Gu., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Myxobolus taibaiensis sp. n. was found in the inner intestinal wall of common carp, Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, during the investigation of fish parasite fauna in Lake Taibai, located in the middle reach of the Yangtze River, China. The whitish ellipsoidal plasmodia, up to 2.9 mm long and 1.7 mm wide, developed in the circular muscle layer of the intestinal wall and produced significant compression into adjacent tissues, but no significant inflammatory responses were observed against this infection. Mature spores are oval in frontal view and lemon-like in lateral and apical view, averaging 10.2-11.2 µm (10.8 ± 0.2 µm) in length, 9.1-9.9 µm (9.6 ± 0.2 µm) in width and 6.1-6.6 µm (6.3 ± 0.1 µm) in thickness. Polar capsules are pyriform, equal in size, slightly converging anteriorly, measuring 4.4-5.4 µm (5.0 ± 0.2 µm) in length by 3.2-3.6 µm (3.4 ± 0.1 µm) in width. Polar filaments coiled with four to five turns and arranged perpendicular to the polar capsule length, measuring up to 106 µm. Myxobolus taibaiensis sp. n. is morphologically similar to Myxobolus rotundatus Achmerov, 1956 which also infects the inner wall of the intestine of common carp. However, the small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence identity was only 94%, generally beyond the intraspecies variation in the genus. Phylogenetically, this new species is sister to M. rotundatus and then clusters with M. shantungensis Hu, 1965 to form an independent common carp-infecting cluster within the Henneguya-Myxobolus clade., Xinhua Liu, Congjie Hua, Qianqian Zhang, Yuanli Zhao, Dong Zhang, Jinyong Zhang., and Obsahuje bibliografii