The distribution of the carboxylating enzyme nbulose-l,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCO) and an enzyme of the photorespiratory pathway (glycine decarboxylase) was determined within the leaf tissue by immunocytochemical techniques in C3, C4 and C3:C4 intermediate species. The specificity of the method for all the materiál was demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulphate acrylamide gels and Western blotting of crude protein extracts. In the C3 species (wheat) the enzymes were located in chloroplasts (RuBPCO) and mitochondria (glycine decarboxylase) of mesophyll cells, while in the three "classical" C4 standards, i.e. Zea mays ("NADP-ME" type). Panicům maximum ("PCK" type) and P. turgidum ("NAD-ME" type), these were found exclusively in the respective organelles of the bundle sheath. In the intermediate species, RuBPCO was not compartmented as it was located in chloroplasts of mesophyll and bundle sheath cells. Yet glycine decarboxylase was found exclusively in bundle sheath mitochondria. InAristida funiculata, a C4 species with "non-classical" leaf structure, RuBPCO was found in chloroplasts of both the inner and outer bundle sheaths and glycine decarboxylase was located exclusively in mitochondria of the inner bundle sheath cells. It is suggested that A. funiculata may be a C4 species with C3:C4-like intermediate characteristics based on the observed distribution of glycine decarboxylase, although gas-exchange characteristics of this species are required before any reclassification can be considered.
Two anti-peptide antisera (anti-A and anti-B) raised against Gryllus bimaculatus allatostatin A1 (Grb-AST A1) and B1 (Grb-AST B1), respectively, were applied in the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical technique on complete series of sections from the brain, suboesophageal ganglion, corpora cardiaca (CC), and corpora allata (CA) of G. bimaculatus. Both antisera yielded intense staining of numerous cells and nerve fibres. Serial sections, alternately stained with anti-A and anti-B confirmed that the anti-B generally stained more cells and nerves. Extensive immunoreactivity in the retrocerebral complex suggests that the CC and CA may represent a storage and/or release site for both allatostatin types or allatostatin-like molecules produced in the brain., Günther Witek, Peter Verhaert, Matthias W. Lorenz, Klaus H. Hoffmann, and Lit
Atherosclerosis is a degenerative inflammatory disease of the vascular wall, which is characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques that contain lipids, activated smooth muscle cells, immune cells, foam cells, a necrotic core and calcified sites. In atherosclerosis pathology, monocytes and macrophages play the most important role by accumulating redundant LDL particles in their oxidized form and producing proinflammatory cytokines. Atherosclerotic plaque macrophages reveal distinct phenotypes that are distinguished into M1 (proinflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages. Numerous environmental signals (cytokines, microbial cell molecules) that are received by macrophages drive their polarization, but it must be determined whether this classification reflects different macrophage subtypes or plasticity and phenotypic tissue changes, but the balance between subsets is crucial. M1 macrophages are dominant in symptomatic atherosclerotic plaques, while M2 macrophages are more frequent in asymptomatic plaques. Nevertheless, a positive correlation of both M1 and M2 macrophages with atherosclerotic lesion severity was also observed., A. Králová, I. Králová lesná, R. Poledne., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Our study was aimed to characterize the phenotype and functional endpoints of local microwave hyperthermia (LHT, 42 °C) on tumor infiltrating and spleen leukocytes. The effectiveness of LHT applied into the tumor of B16F10 melanoma-bearing C57/BL6 mice was compared with anesthetized and non-treated animals. Subpopulations of leukocytes were analyzed using the flow cytometry, and the cytotoxic activity of splenocytes against syngeneic B16F10 melanoma and NK-sensitive YAC-1 tumor cell lines was evaluated in 51 Cr-release assay. Similarly, the in vitro modification of the heat treatment was performed using healthy and melanoma-bearing splenocytes. We found a 40 % increase of activated monocytes (CD11b+CD69+) infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. In the spleen of experimental animals, the numbers of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs-CD3+CD8+) and NK cell (CD49b+NK1.1+) raised by 22 % and 14 %, respectively, while the NK1.1+ monocytes decreases by 37 %. This was accompanied by an enhancement of cytotoxic effector function against B16F10 and YAC-1 targets in both in vivo and in vitro conditions. These results demonstrate that LHT induces better killing of syngeneic melanoma targets. Furthermore, LHT evokes the homing of activated monocytes into the tumor microenvironment and increases the counts of NK cells and CTL in the spleen., J. Kubeš, J. Svoboda, J. Rosina, M. Starec, A. Fišerová., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické údaje
Immunomodulatory steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone and its 7-hydroxylated metabolites and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were determined in sera of 88 women aged 18-75 years. The group consisted of 34 healthy women, 37 women with subclinical and 17 women with manifest hypothyroidism. In all subjects the laboratory parameters of thyroid function (thyrotropin, free thyroxine and triiodothyronine) and thyroid autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin were determined. The aim was to find out 1) whether the above steroids and SHBG levels differ in individual groups according to thyroid status, 2) whether correlations exist among investigated steroids and thyroid laboratory parameters, and 3) whether the respective steroid and SHBG levels differ according to the presence of principal thyroid autoantibodies. With the exception of 7β-hydroxy-dehydroepindrosterone levels, which were decreased in patients with manifest hypothyroidism (p<0.05), no significant differences in steroid and SHBG levels among groups according to diagnosis were found. On the other hand, significantly decreased levels of all the immunomodulatory steroids studied were found in subjects with positive titres of thyroid autoantibodies. This finding was supported by a tight negative correlation among the above steroids and thyroid autoantibodies. In addition, these steroids correlated negatively with thyrotropin and positively with free thyroid hormones. The results point to a negative relationship between the above mentioned immunoprotective steroids and the extent of the autoimmune process in hypothyroidism., K. Drbalová, P. Matucha, M. Matějková-Běhanová, R. Bílek, L. Kříž, H. Kazihnitková, R. Hampl., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Using an air-conditioned single-plant chamber, shoots of two dwarf beán cultivars were exposed for 5 oř 6 h to O3 concentrations, ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 pmol mol**. Diuing exposure water vapour, CO2, and O3 exchange rates of shoots were monitored with the aim to quantify possible differences between cultivars in sensitivity of stomata and mesophyll to O3 uptake. Aíter exposure changes in the water holding capacity of the treated leaves were also estůnated, combining pressure bomb, 3-gauge, and leaf chamber techniques. Rates of change of stomatal (Vg) and mesophyll (Vg,) conductances increased linearily with increase in the absorbed O3 flux via the stomata (Qg), the direshold for stomatal response being lower than that for mesophyll response. Above the threshold values of Qg, sensitivity of V„ to Qg was lower than ďiat of Vg. The water holding capacity of leaves decreased with increase in Qg, although no distinct threshold Qg was found. Cultivar differences in O3 sensitivities of Vg were statístically distinguishable on the stomatal segment of CO2 uptake route ordy.
No data are available about the effects of AT1 receptor antagonist losartan on the skeleton and there is also little information on the activity of an ACE inhibitor enalapril on bone metabolism. It is widely believed that the vasculature plays an important role in bone remodeling under normal and pathological conditions. We treated 14-week-old female Wistar rats with losartan, enalapril or saline. Administration of the ACE inhibitor enalapril and angiotensin II antagonist losartan had no effect on total malondialdehyde (MDA) in the blood and on urinary excretion of some eicosanoids and their metabolites. The administration of enalapril and losartan in a dose recommended for the treatment of hypertension did not cause significant changes in bone density, the ash and mineral content or morphometric parameters of the femur compared to the values found in control female rats., P. D. Broulík, V. Tesař, T. Zima, M. Jirsa., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Poplars (Populus spp.) are widely used in the pulp and paper industry and as bioenergy resources. Poplars require a large amount of water for biomass accumulation and lack of water is a limiting factor for poplar growth. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been previously reported to afford some plant species with greater resistance to drought stress. However, the effects of AM fungi on hybrid poplar under drought stress and recovery have not been studied. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the AM fungus, Rhizophagus irregularis, on the growth, water status, chlorophyll (Chl) content and fluorescence, and photosynthesis of poplar seedlings. The experiment was divided into three stages. At each stage of the experiment, the seedlings were subjected to a different watering regime: well-watered (prior stress), drought, and then rewatering (recovery). Measurements were taken at the end of each stage of the experiment. The results showed that mycorrhizal plants had a higher net photosynthetic rate and Chl fluorescence compared with nonmycorrhizal plants, regardless of the stage. Mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants showed different responses to drought stress: mycorrhizal plants showed better water-use efficiency and water uptake under drought stress conditions. In general, the poplar seedlings that formed the AM symbiosis with R. irregularis showed enhanced growth and reduced loss of biomass during the drought stress compared with the nonmycorrhizal seedlings., T. Liu, M. Sheng, C. Y. Wang, H. Chen, Z. Li, M. Tang., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The normal retinal development is interrupted by preterm birth and a retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may develop as its consequence. ROP is characterised by aberrant vessel formation in the retina as a response to multiple risk factors influencing the process of retinal angiogenesis. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF -1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play an important role in the process of normal retinal vascularisation. Insufficient nutrition during the first 4 postnatal weeks results in low serum levels of IGF-1, which is essential for correct retinal vessels formation, ensuring survival of the newly formed endothelial cells. Low IGF-1 level results in stop of angiogenesis in the retina, leaving it avascular and prompting the onset of ROP. Keeping the newborns in a positive energetic balance by providing enough nutrients and energy has a beneficial impact on their growth, neurodevelopment and decreased incidence of ROP. The best way to achieve this is the early parenteral nutrition with the high content of nutrients combined with early enteral feeding by the own mother's breast milk. Multiple studies confirmed the safety and efficacy of early aggressive nutrition but information about its long-term effects on the metabolism, growth and development is stil needed., N. Lenhartova, K. Matasova, Z. Lasabova, K. Javorka, A. Calkovska., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Tomato meets the dietary nutrient and antioxidant requirements of diverse populations. Being a C3 crop and an important vegetable, it is likely to be influenced by increased CO2 concentrations under climate change situation. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of elevated CO2 on overall physiology, water relations, growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) cv. Arka Ashish. Plants were grown at elevated CO2 [550 (EC550) and 700 (EC700) ppm of CO2] in open top chambers. Increased assimilation rate, decreased stomatal conductance and transpiration rate were observed at elevated CO2 (EC) concentrations. Reduced leaf osmotic potential and increased water potential were observed at EC compared with the control (380 ppm of CO2) in flowering and fruiting stages. Lower total chlorophyll content was recorded at EC700. Plant height was significantly higher at EC550 compared with EC700. Higher number of branches was observed at EC700 as compared with plants grown at EC550 and the control. Leaf area was lower at EC700 compared with EC550 but specific leaf mass was higher at EC700. Due to higher leaf dry mass and root dry mass, the plants grown at EC700 exhibited higher total dry mass compared to EC550 and the control. Increased number of flowers and fruits together with higher fruit set led to higher fruit yield at both EC concentrations. The highest yield increase was observed at EC700. The fruits showed a lower content of phenols, flavonoids, ferric reducing antioxidant potential, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity in plants grown at EC as compared with the control. The ascorbic acid content was high at both EC700 and EC550. Carotenoids and lycopene content was low at EC700 compared to higher content observed at EC550 and the control., H. Mamatha, N. K. Srinivasa Rao, R. H. Laxman, K. S. Shivashankara, R. M. Bhatt, K. C. Pavithra., and Obsahuje bibliografii