Parasitic plants growing on tree branches may be a novel niche and phytoresource for arthropods. The spatial continuity between hosts and their parasites in canopies might provide a homogeneous environment for arthropod communities, but differences in mistletoe leaves and host needles could be exploited by different species of arthropods. Therefore, it is important to determine insect-community assemblages in order to discover the role of parasitic plants as a different habitat for arthropods. Thus, we aim to evaluate the level of similarity between the arthropod community on mistletoe (Viscum album) and that on its two principal pine hosts, Black pine (Pinus nigra) and Scots pine (P. sylvestris), on a Mediterranean mountain. Our results reveal that, irrespective of the species of pine host, V. album has a stable, independent and simple arthropod trophic web, composed mainly of two specialist hemipteran herbivores, Cacopsylla visci (Psyllidae) and Pinalitus viscicola (Miridae), and a hemipteran predator, Anthocoris visci (Anthocoridae). Despite this, the composition of the arthropod communities differed significantly on both host species, with a greater richness and diversity on Scots than Black pine and these differences are not reflected in the community on mistletoe. Overall, we conclude that, although Viscum album is considered to be a pest of pine, its presence increases the heterogeneity of the forest canopy by providing a novel habitat for a new and specific community of arthropods. In addition, this is a new record for and most probably an extension of the southernmost limit of the known geographical distribution of the arthropod community inhabiting V. album., Alba Lázaro-González, José A. Hódar, Regino Zamora., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim of this study was to ascertain the persistence of heart rate and blood pressure oscillations at the onset of voluntary apnea in humans and to assess the dependence of the fluctuations` parameters on the chemoreceptor activity. In 24 young subjects (10 males, 14 females, mean age 20.4 years) heart rate (represented by its reciprocal value - RR-intervals), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during controlled breathing (CB) of atmospheric air and oxygen followed by apnea were recorded continuously. The cosine functions were then fitted by nonlinear regression analysis to the heart rate, SBP and DBP oscillations during CB and at the onset of apnea. The parameters of oscillations were different during atmospheric air breathing compared to oxygen breathing. During oxygen breathing there was an increase of the RR-interval oscillations - relative bradycardia and enhanced magnitude of respiratory sinus arythmia. During apnea, the base level of the blood pressure oscillations was higher after breathing of atmospheric air compared o oxygen breathing. At least one cosine-like wave oscillation was present at the onset of apnea in the heart rate, SBP and DBP and the second wave was present in all assessed parameters in at least 70 % of recordings. The oscillations in RR-intervals are, to some extent, independent of blood pressure oscillations. No significant gender differences were found either in the duration of breath holding or in the RR and SBP oscillations parameters., M. Javorka, I. Žila, K. Javorka, A. Čalkovská., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Cíl: Seznámit čtenáře s provedením dobutaminového testu a SPECTu myokardu ve spolupráci s oddělením funkční diagnostiky. Metodika: Podmínky k vyšetřením vznikly v roce 1996, kdy bylo vybudováno detašované pracoviště KNM v prostorách interní kliniky v blízkosti laboratoří funkční diagnostiky (od roku 2012 součástí Kardiovaskulárního centra FNO). Pacienty indikované k vyšetření objednává odborný internista, kardiolog nebo kardiochirurg na oddělení funkční diagnostiky. Datum vyšetření je nahlášen na ambulanci detašovaného pracoviště KNM. V den vyšetření se pacient hlásí na KNM k zajištění žilního vstupu flexibilní kanylou. S dokumentací je předán na funkční diagnostické oddělení. Kardiolog určuje v průběhu dobutaminové infúze její rychlost. Při dosažení požadované tepové frekvence lékař KNM provede aplikaci RF (99mTc-MIBI, 99mTc-tetrofosmin). Po stabilizaci stavu je pacient předán na KNM, kde je proveden gated SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) myokardu. V případě patologického nálezu při zátěžové studii je pacient zván k vyšetření za klidových podmínek s odstupem minimálně 24 hodin. Obě pracoviště si navzájem předávají závěrečné protokoly z vyšetření. Závěr: Pomocí nových nukleárně kardiologických softwarů lze automaticky kvantifikovat rozsah a závažnost perfuzních abnormalit. Dobutaminový test je nejrozšířenějším neinvazivním zátěžovým testem, je mnohem specifičtější pro výběr pacientů s indukovatelnou myokardiální ischémií. Obě vyšetřovací metody jsou v dnešní době komplementárními diagnostickými metodami při primodiagnostice ischemické choroby srdeční (ICHS), ve stratifikaci rizika, stanovení prognózy a dalšího terapeutického postupu u pacientů s již známou diagnózou ICHS. Provedení dobutaminového testu a SPECTu myokardu má pro pacienty zásadní přínos z hlediska jejich další léčby., x, Drahoslava Nováková, Jaroslav Šipula, Radoslava Drozdková, Otakar Kraft, Martin Havel, and Literatura
The effect of blocking the first and rate-limiting step in renin-angiotensin cascade on the renal function in ischemia reperfusion injury has not been previously in vestigated. We investigated the effect of aliskiren, the first approved direct oral renin inhibitor, on the alterations in renal functional parameters in this condition. Wistar rats underwent left renal ischemia for 40 min. Group-1 received normal saline whereas Group-2 received aliskiren (30 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 6 days commencing one day before IRI. The hemodynamic an d tubular functions and gene expression of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and plasminogen activating inhibitor (PAI-1) in the right and left kidneys were measured five days following the IRI. Comparing Group-1 and Group-2, the left renal blood flow was significantly higher in Group-2 (1.28±0.36 vs. 0.39±0.05, P=0.007). Left kidney glomerular filtration rate was also higher in Group-2 but did not reach statistical signif icance (0.18±0.05 vs. 0.10±0.02, P=0.07). The left renal FE Na was significantly lower in Group-2 (29.9±6.4 vs. 49.7±7.8, P=0.03). Aliskiren also caused a significant decrease in the gene expression of both NGAL and PAI-1 in the left ischemic kidney. In conclusions, the administration of aliskiren before and after IRI appears to have ameliorated the IRI effect on the total renal artery blood flow, and fractional excretion of sodium and gene expression of both NGAL and PAI-1 indicating a renoprotective effects in IRI., F. T. Hammad, S. Al-Salam, L. Lubbad., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Melatonin has been shown to play a role in antioxidative defence. We therefore studied its effect on oxidative damage to the rat cerebral cortex evoked by painful stimulation and immobilization-induced stress. Moreover, the effect of melatonin on chronic pain perception was examined. Rats were injected with either a high dose of melatonin (100 mg/kg i.p.) or a vehicle for five days and were subjected to painful stimulation or immobilization stress 30 min after the treatment. To determine the degree of oxidative stress, the levels of free radicals, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as indicators of lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) were estimated in somatosensory cortex. Pain perception was measured by the tail-flick and plantar test. Melatonin reduced the level of TBARS previously increased by painful stimulation. Melatonin also exhibited a slight analgesic effect in those animals exposed to painful stimulation but its role in free radical scavenging did not contribute to this effect., I. Pekárková, S. Parara, V. Holeček, P. Stopka, L. Trefil, J. Racek, R. Rokyta., and Obsahuje bibliografii
It is expected that environmental conditions impact the distribution of galls on host plants. Moreover, insects may induce their galls randomly or choose certain parts of a host to induce such growths. This study aimed to determine whether or not the gall midge, Hartigiola annulipes (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), which induces galls on leaves of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), prefers leaves facing a particular cardinal direction. In addition, we wanted to ascertain whether the galls are evenly spread across three leaf zones: proximal, median and distal, distinguished by dividing leaf area along the midrib. The results show that H. annulipes chose leaves facing various directions in different studied locations, and leaf choice is not restricted to the specific leaf area, a parameter that accurately reflects the light conditions of leaf growth. Moreover, the medial leaf zone was preferred, while the distal zone was avoided. The choice of the leaf zone modified the distance between the mid-rib and a gall. Gall distribution in the crown of trees is probably random, while at the leaf level, it is determined by leaf morphology., Sebastian Pilichowski, Marian J. Giertych., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim was to compare methods of body fat measurement in different BMI groups. An additional aim was to discuss differences reflecting the structural and functional changes of fat tissue. The study group included 130 adult Caucasian women stratified by body mass index (BMI): 18-24.99 (n=30), 25-29.99 (n=26), 30-34.99 (n=33), 35-39.99 (n=30), and BMI ≥ 40 (n=11). Bioelectrical impedance was performed using Tanita TBF 410 GS, Bodystat 1500, and Omron BF 300. A caliper type Best was also applied. Correspondence of four methods with DEXA was assessed using the Bland-Altman and ANOVA analyses. Measurements by BIA were not si gnificantly different from DEXA up to BMI of 30, but DEXA significantly overestimated in the higher BMI subgroup by all three methods. Caliper measurement significantly underestimated DEXA in all BMI subgroups. BIA methods overestimated DEXA for the obese subjects. Tanita did statistically the best. The Caliper test appeared less preferable than the BIA methods, especially in the higher BMI subgroup. DEXA and Caliper measurements seem to be the best estimate of structural (anatomical) fat quantity. We hypothesize that BIA methods could also measure some other physiopathological conditions like inflammation, hydration or cell infiltration of fat., R: Větrovská, Z. Vilikus, J. Klaschka, Z. Stránská, Š. Svačina, Š. Svobodová, M. Matoulek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The aim of this study was to investigate aldose reductase inhibitory action of setipiprant as a potential additional mechanism contributing to its anti-inflammatory action. Aldose reductase activity was determined by spectrophotometric measuring of NADPH consumption. Setipiprant was found to inhibit aldose reductase/NADPH-mediated reduction of 4-hydroxynonenal, 4-hydroxynonenal glutathione and prostaglandin H2 substrates, all relevant to the process of inflammation. Molecular modeling simulations into the aldose reductase inhibitor binding site revealed an interaction pattern of setipiprant. Considering multifactorial etiology of inflammatory pathologies, it is suggested that, in addition to the antagonizing prostaglandin D2 receptor, inhibition of aldose reductase may contribute to the reported anti-inflammatory action of setipiprant., J. Ballekova, M. Soltesova-Prnova, M. Majekova, M. Stefek., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Microgravity or simulated microgravity induces acute and chronic cardiovascular responses, whose mechanism is pivotal for understanding of physiological adaptation and pathophysiological consequences. We investigated hemodynamic responses of conscious Wistar rats to 45º head-down tilt (HDT) for 7 days. Arterial blood pressure (BP) was recorded by telemetry. Heart rate (HR), spectral properties and the spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (sBRS) were calculated. Head-up tilt (HUT) was applied for 2 h before and after HDT to assess the degree of any possible cardiovascular deconditio ning. Horizontal control BP and HR were 112.5±2.8 mmHg and 344.7±10 bpm, respectively. HDT elicited an elevation in BP and HR by 8.3 % and 8.8 %, respectively, in less than 1 h. These elevations in BP and HR were maintained for 2 and 3 days, respectively, and then normalized. Heart rate variability was unchanged, while sBRS was permanently reduced from the beginning of HDT (1.01±0.08 vs. 0.74±0.05 ms/mmHg). HUT tests before and after HDT resulted in BP elevations (6.9 vs. 11.6 %) and sBRS reduction (0.44 vs. 0.37 ms/mmHg), respectively. The pressor response during the post-HDT HUT test was accompanied by tachycardia (13.7 %). In conclusion, chronic HDT does not lead to symptoms of cardiovascular deconditioning. However the depressed sBRS and tachycardic response seen during the post-HDT HUT test may indicate disturbances in cardiovascular control., G. Raffai ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
We investigated the potential role of magnesium (Mg) dysbalance in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR) in patients with mildly-to-moderately decreased renal function (creatinine: 142.8±11.0 mmol/l). The data were compared to those of 8 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (CTRL). The standard oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) was performed in 61 patients. Twenty-two patients were classified as IR according to their values on fasting and after-load immunoreactive insulin concentrations. Serum and total erythrocyte Mg (tErMg) (atomic absorption spectro-photometry) and free erythrocyte Mg (fErMg) concentrations (31P NMR spectroscopy) were determined prior to and two hours after the glucose load. Ten out of 39 insulin-sensitive (IS) patients, but only one out of 22 insulin-resistant (IR) patients, had a low basal fErMg concentration (<162.2 mmol/l, c2, p<0.01). IR patients had higher serum Mg, total erythrocyte Mg and bound erythrocyte Mg (bErMg) concentrations (both before and after glucose load) when compared with the IS group. Both groups responded to the glucose load with a significant decrease in serum Mg concentration (within the normal range), while the IR group also exhibited a decline in tErMg and bErMg. The mean sum of insulin needed to metabolize the same glucose load correlated positively with tErMg (r=0.545, p<0.01) and bErMg (r=0.560, p<0.01) in the IR patients. It is concluded that, at an early stage of renal dysfunction, IR is not associated with the decline in free erythrocyte Mg concentration, but the magnesium handling in red blood cells is altered., K. Šebeková, K. Štefíková, D. Polakovičová, V. Spustová, R. Dzúrik., and Obsahuje bibliografii