We studied a population of the regionally endangered marsh fritillary butterfly Euphydryas aurinia inhabiting a system of loosely connected dry calcareous grasslands in sub-Mediterranean Slovenia. Our goal was to set the basis for a long-term monitoring of this butterfly in four meadows using mark-release-recapture (MRR). We determined its demographic parameters, dispersal, behaviour and utilization of nectar plants in different quality patches. Total population size was estimated to be approximately 347 males (95% confidence interval: 262-432) and 326 females (95% confidence interval: 250-402), with an unbiased sex ratio. The average lifespans were 6.3 and 8.6 days, respectively. Daily population sizes followed a parabola with marked protandry. Both sexes were relatively highly mobile with both occasionally moving over half a kilometre. The spatial distribution of animals seemed to be associated with patch size, host plant densities and nectar sources, resulting in much higher population densities in the largest patch. Adult behaviour differed between the sexes, with females resting more and flying less than males. Behaviour also changed during daytime and with the progression of the season. Adults were confirmed to be opportunistic feeders, since as many as ten nectar sources were detected. We conclude that demographic parameters differ greatly among regions and habitats, thus conservation aims should be planned accordingly. Although the population studied is apparently in good condition, there are threats that may hamper the long-term persistence of the species in this area: succession, intensification of mowing and overgrazing., Jure Jugovic, Costanza Uboni, Sara Zupan, Martina Lužnik., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Dendritic cell (DC) vaccination is an attractive approach to the treatment of patients with lymphoid tumors. To evaluate its feasibility, we have tested the functional properties of DC and T-lymphocytes in patients with treated and untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). Healthy volunteers were used both as controls and as a source of cells for allogeneic mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). In these reactions, dendritic cells from both untreated and treated patients were comparable to dendritic cells from healthy volunteers. In all the untreated patients studied, autologous dendritic cells promoted the survival and proliferation of both CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes (though the proliferation response was much better in the CD4 subset), whereas only 3 out of 5 treated patients were able to mount this response with CD4 lymphocytes and 4 out of 5 with CD8 lymphocytes. In 3 out of 5 untreated patients, pulsing of DCs with tetanus toxoid promoted a better CD4 response than was achieved with unpulsed DCs, while none of 5 treated patients had an additional response after pulsing with tetanus toxoid. None of patients studied, either treated or untreated, had a better CD8 response to pulsed DCs than to unpulsed ones. During CD4 lymphocyte proliferation, more CD4+CD25hi lymphocytes were generated in both treated and untreated patients than in healthy controls. Poor proliferation of cytotoxic cells and preferential proliferation of CD4+CD25hi T-regulatory cells in response to self and/or foreign antigens might be one of the mechanisms responsible for immunosuppression and impaired tumor surveillance in patients with lymphoid malignancies., R. Pytlík, P. Hofman, L. Kideryová, P. Červinková, P. Obrtlíková, J. Šálková, M. Trněný, P. Klener., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody representing a novel therapy of osteoporosis. Contrary to always other antiosteoporotic drugs, it is not contraindicated in advanced chronic kidney disease, as its pharmacokinetic does not differ from patients with normal kidney function. However, published case reports in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients stopped the therapy after single dose because of hypocalcemia. We present a case of successful treatment of osteoporosis in a young hemodialysis patient with repeated denosumab doses. and Sylvie Dusilová Sulková, Jiří Horáček, Roman Šafránek, Petr Gorun, Ondřej Viklický, Vladimír Palička
A classical result in number theory is Dirichlet’s theorem on the density of primes in an arithmetic progression. We prove a similar result for numbers with exactly k prime factors for k>1. Building upon a proof by E.M.Wright in 1954, we compute the natural density of such numbers where each prime satisfies a congruence condition. As an application, we obtain the density of squarefree n 6 x with k prime factors such that a fixed quadratic equation has exactly 2k solutions modulo n., Neha Prabhu., and Seznam literatury
Estimating the spatial dispersion of pest arthropods is crucial for the development of reliable sampling programs and one of the main components of integrated pest management. The natural spatial distribution of a population of a species may be random, uniform, or aggregated and can be so classified based on calculation of variance to mean relations and related dispersion indices. In this work some classical density-invariant dispersion indices and related regression models are used for the first time to quantify the spatial dispersion of an important peach pest Anarsia lineatella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and construct fixed precision sequential sampling schemes. Taylor's power law, Iwao's patchiness regression and Nachman's model were used to analyse the damage to peaches caused by A. lineatella. All three regression models fit the data well, although the results indicate that Iwao's patchiness model provides a better description of the relationship between variance and mean density. Taylor's b and Iwao's b regression indices were both significantly smaller than 1, indicating that the distribution of individuals was uniform rather than random or aggregated. According to Green's and Kuno's models, the minimum sample size at the precision level of 0.2 varies from 3 samples, when total population density is more than 3 larvae/sample, to 10 samples, when population density is between 1 and 2 larvae/sample. Kuno's fixed sampling plan indicates that a small number of samples (i.e., 3-10 branches with fruit) is sufficient to estimate the mean population density of A. lineatella larvae with a precision of 0.2. The Resampling for validation of sampling plans (RVSP) method confirmed that the average level of precision of the fixed sequential plans matched the desired precision in most cases. The sampling plan presented here provides a level understanding of A. lineatella spatial ecology suitable for pest manage, Petros Damos., and Obsahuje bibliografii
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a serious health issue and one of the world most devastating epidemics. An estimated 1.5 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2013, and an estimated 37 million people with AIDS have died worldwide since the epidemic has begun. HIV infection is known for its oral manifestations which causes discomfort and pain for infected individuals. The objective of this study was to document oral conditions of HIV positive patients and the pattern and frequency of oral and dental lesions. METHODS: All patients with confirmed HIV infection who were treated at the Department of Dentistry, University Hospital in Hradec Králové, were examined. RESULTS: During the study period, 29 HIV positive patients were examined and treated--19 men, 10 women, with mean age of 32.9 years (range 22-58 years). 72.41% patients received ART. In total, all patients underwent 186 visits. The most frequent treatments were associated with teeth and periodontal lesions (71.80%), oral mucosal lesions were diagnosed and treated only in 3.96% cases. CONCLUSION: Since the introduction of ART, the frequency of oral mucosal lesions is minimal in patients with HIV infection. and M. Šembera, V. Radochová, R. Slezák
Index of vulnerability is a parameter based on ventricular gradient evaluating the risk of arrhythmia development. The index is derived from isointegral maps of the QT interval. Individual characteristics of isointegral maps are influenced by different factors, which contribute to the relatively high variability among measured parameters of maps in measured subjects. While several electrocardiographic indexes have been introduced, there are only few studies of their dependence on heart rate. In this study we set out to establish the dependence of vulnerability index on the RR interval or heart rate in healthy population. A positive linear correlation between RR intervals and mean and minimum values of vulnerability indexes was found., J. Martinka, K. Kozlíková., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This note aims to put on record a hitherto unreported function of caterpillar setae supplementary to those already known. When woolly bear caterpillars of the moth Lemyra imparilis (Butler) have their body hairs removed and are dropped into a bucket of water from a height of 30 cm, they sink immediately. Caterpillars, however, with an intact coat of hairs usually float. This hitherto unreported role of caterpillar setae as life-rafts should depend on a high contact angle θe, and thus on the position, density and dimensions of the hairs. An SEM examination of the surface structure of the setae revealed a system of fine grooves and small distally pointing barbs on the hair shaft, which can trap air to support the weight of the insect. Insect setae generally and body hairs of caterpillars in particular are known to possess many functions, but a role as life-rafts for caterpillars in danger of drowning can now be added to the list of possible uses of body hairs., V. Benno Meyer-Rochow., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This study sought to evaluate whether consumption of polyphenol extract from Cognac (CPC) modulates platelet activation and cardiovascular reactivity in rats. Male Wistar rats were treated daily for 4 weeks by intra-gastric gavage receiving CPC at 80 mg/kg/day or vehicle (5 % glucose). Platelet adhesion and aggregation in response to different activators were assessed. Cardiac and vascular reactivity in response to various agonists as well as NO measurement by electron paramagnetic resonance technique were investigated in isolated heart and thoracic aorta. Oral administration of CPC decreased platelet aggregation induced by ADP but not by collagen. CPC did not affect adhesion to collagen. The chronotropic but not the inotropic response to isoprenaline was reduced without alteration of NO production in hearts from CPC-treated rats. CPC treatment did not affect ex vivo relaxation to acetylcholine nor NO content of rat aorta. CPC did not significantly alter the response to phenylephrine in aorta despite the participation of endothelial vasoconstrictor products. In summary, chronic treatment with CPC has no impact on ex vivo vascular and cardiac reactivity; however, it reduced heart work and platelet aggregation. These data suggest the existence of compounds in Cognac that may decrease the risk of coronary thrombosis and protect against some cardiac diseases., J. Švíglerová, J. Kuncová, L. Nalos, J. Slavíková, M. Štengl., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Lithium-pilocarpine status epilepticus (SE) resulted in delayed changes of single cortical in terhemisperic (transcallosal) responses in immature rats. Low-frequency stimulation inducing depression and/or potentiation was studied to analyze possible dynamic changes in cortical responses. Status was elicited in 12-day-old (SE12) or 25-day-old (SE25) rats. Control siblings received saline instead of pilocarpine. Interhemispheric responses were elicited by stimulation of the sensorimotor region of the cerebral cortex 3, 6, 9, 13, or 26 days after status. A series of 5 biphasic pulses with intensity equal to twofold threshold were used for stimulation. The interval between pulses was 100, 125, 160, 200 or 300 ms, eight responses were always averaged. Peak amplitude of the first positive, first negative and second positive waves was measured and responses to the second, third, fourth and fifth pulse were compared with the first one. Animals after status epilepticus as well as lithium-paraldehyde controls exhibit a frequency depression at nearly all the intervals studied. An outlined increase of responses in SE rats in comparison with the controls three days after SE stayed just below the level of statistical significance. In addition, animals in the SE12 group exhibited potentiation of responses at this interval after SE. With longer intervals after SE, the relation between SE and control animals changed twice resulting in a tendency to lower amplitude of responses in SE than in control rats 26 days after SE. Rats in the SE25 group exhibited higher responses than controls 13 days after status, but this difference was not present at the longest interval after SE. Low-frequency stimulation did not reveal increased cortical excitability as a long-lasting consequence of status epilepticus induced in immature rats. In addition, the outlined differences between SE and control rats changed with the time after SE., G. Tsenov, P. Mareš., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy