Apolipoprotein B (apo B) is the major protein component of LDL, VLDL and chylomicrons. Numerous polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein B gene have been described. Particularly, the insertion/deletion polymorphism located in the coding part of the signal peptide of apo B, associated with modification of lipid concentrations and the risk of cardiovascular disease, has been reported in the general population. No such study in the Tunisian population has been performed. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of insertion/deletion polymorphism of the apolipoprotein B gene on lipid levels in a sample of the Tunisian population. A total of 458 unrelated subjects (321 men and 137 women) were included. The insertion/deletion polymorphism was determined by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels after PCR amplification. The relative frequencies of the Ins and Del alleles were 0.74 and 0.26, respectively. These frequencies were similar to those found in other Caucasian populations. There was no significant difference in serum TC, TG, and HDL-C levels due to the influence of the genotypes. However, significant variation among the three genotypes was seen for LDL-cholesterol (p<0.001) and apo B (p<0.001) levels. Individuals homozygous for the Del allele had higher levels than individuals homozygous for the Ins allele, while individuals heterozygous for both alleles exhibited intermediate levels. When the data were analyzed in men and women separately, a similar effect was seen in both groups. Our results show that distribution of apo B insertion/deletion polymorphism in Tunisians is similar to other Caucasian population and confirm the reported association with serum LDL-cholesterol and apo B concentrations., A. Kallel, M. Fekl, M. Elasmi, M. Souissi, H. Shanhaji, S. Omar, S. Haj Taieb, R. Jemaa, N. Kaabachi., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Apolipoproteins E and CI are the predominant components of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. The genes are located in one gene cluster and both are polymorphic. Three allelic (ε2, ε3 and ε4) polymorphisms of the APOE gene influence plasma cholesterol levels. The distribution of these alleles differ between ethnic groups. PCR genotyping was used to determine the APOE and APOCI allele incidence in a representative group of 653 probands (302 men and 351 women) of Czech origin. The observed relative frequencies for the ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles were 7.1 %, 82.0 % and 10.9 %, respectively, and are similar to other middle European populations. APO ε4 carriers have the highest and APO ε2 carriers the lowest levels of plasma total cholesterol (p<0.0001) and LDL cholesterol (p<0.0001). The frequency of the insertion (I) allele (HpaI restriction site present) of the APOCI polymorphism was 18.5 %. APOCI I/I homozygotes have the highest level of triglycerides (p<0.003). An almost complete linkage disequilibrium of the insertion allele of APOCI with the APOE alleles ε2 and ε4 has been detected and suggests that the deletion in the APOCI gene probably follows the deriving of all three APOE alleles on the APO ε3 allele background., J. A. Hubáček, J. Piťha, V. Adámková, Z. Škodová, V. Lánská, R. Poledne., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The inconsistency of data regarding intrauterine programming of cardiovascular risk factors may be largely caused by genetic predisposition and later lifestyle. We analyzed whether low birth weight and apolipoprotein E (Apo E) polymorphism participate in the onset of hypercholesterolemia in children. Our approach was based on hypothesis that genetically enhanced susceptibility of different individuals might influence the effects of intrauterine programming. Two groups were selected from 2000 children at the beginning of an ongoing study: high-cholesterol group (HCG, n=67) and low-cholesterol group as a control (LCG, n=72). Both groups were divided into tertilles according to birth weight and we compared birth weight and apo E gene polymorphism between and within groups. The birth weight in HCG was 0.3 kg lower than the controls (p<0. 001). The frequency of apoE4 was 31 % in HCG and only 10 % in LCG. The frequency of apoE4+ genotypes was not significantly different between tertilles based on birth weight in HCG. We suppose that intrauterine undernutrition, demonstrated by a lower birth weight, participates in the development of hypercholesterolemia already in childhood. The effects of low birth weight and the candidate gene - apoE, are synergic., P. Szitányi, H. Pistulková, J. A. Hubáček, H. Stuchlíková, R. Poledne., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Vysněného cíle nakonec dosáhlo šest výprav. Dvě posádky testovaly mateřskou loď i lunární modul na oběžné dráze Země, jiné dvě na oběžné dráze Měsíce. Apollo 13 zažilo nejúspěšnější neúspěch. Dvanáct lidí - výpravy Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 a 17 - na povrchu Měsíce chodilo, skákalo, padalo, jezdilo i tak trochu bouralo. Zpět na Zemi přivezli kosmonauti na čtyři sta kilogramů hornin. Jimi prováděné experimenty, z nichž jeden stále běží, si vzaly na paškál studium mechanických vlastností půdy, měsícotřesení, vlastností slunečního větru... Jedinou vadou na kráse je, že se tak stalo už před padesáti roky. and Jiří Dušek.
První družice světa, první živý tvor ve vesmíru, první sondy k Měsíci, první člověk na oběžné dráze... Sovětský svaz sbíral v počátcích kosmické éry lidstva prvenství jako na běžícím pásu. Spojené státy nástup věku kosmických letů podcenily a najednou nemohly chytit dech. and Tomáš Přibyl.
The effect of phagocytosis of living bacteria on apoptotic DNA changes was examined in pig leukocytes in relation to immune system maturation. Blood samples of pigs (aged 6, 12 and 18 weeks) were cultivated with a suspension of bacterial cells Salmonella typhimurium LB 5000 at 37 °C. In the experimental groups, killed bacteria and microspheric particles were used to detect the influence of the phagocytic process. Phagocytic activity and index were determined in each sample by means of microspheric particles. The ability to kill engulfed microbes (bactericidal capacity) was estimated from the decrease in bacterial colony-forming units (CFU). Samples of cultured cells were taken for DNA analysis at given intervals. DNA ladder assay was used for qualitative apoptotic DNA break detection and the TUNEL AP test was employed for quantification of apoptosis. In 18-week-old animals, spontaneous DNA degradation was observed in the control group without phagocytosis after 8 h. In contrast, cells cultivated with microspheric particles or killed bacteria became apoptotic after 4 h. The rate of apoptotic DNA degradation was decreased in the group exposed to living bacteria. This prolonged survival of phagocytes was also detected in 12-week-old animals, but not at 6 weeks of age. These findings were supported by the ability of phagocytes in 6-week-old animals to engulf microbes, but their killing (bactericidal) ability was significantly decreased in comparison with other stages of immune system maturation. These results suggest that the process of phagocytosis itself is accompanied by activation of the apoptotic program in phagocytic cells of the pig immune system, but the presence of phagocyted living bacteria can delay this activation. The prolonged survival of short-lived cells was only observed in later phases of immune system maturation., E. Matalová, A. Španová, F. Kovářů., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We address the specific, leftist dissent in socialist Yugoslavia that was centred around the Praxis intellectual school. Our aim is to show the divergent paths that strongly marked the legacy of the group’s Serbian wing. Tracing the intellectual engagement of two prominent figures that ended on completely opposite ends of the political spectrum – Mihailo Marković and Miladin Životić – we want to show that the inception of Yugoslavia’s bloody dissolution can be traced back to the very core of what could be called orthodox left dissent. We analyse the “truly leftist” politics of Mihailo Marković during the 1968 protests, which devolved into support for the police and apologia for war and nationalism in the 1990s. We compare his central intellectual role in instituting a nationalist brand of socialism in Serbia to the public engagement of Miladin Životić, whose marginalization stands as reminder of those who dared to oppose the dominant nationalist narratives and offered a vision of life together.
Miconia albicans, a common evergreen cerrado species, was studied under field conditions. Leaf gas exchange and pre-dawn leaf water potential (Ψpd) were determined during wet and dry seasons. The potential photosynthetic capacity (PNpmax) and the apparent carboxylation efficiency (ε) dropped in the dry season to 28.0 and 0.7 %, respectively, of the maximum values in the wet season. The relative mesophyll (Lm) and stomatal (Ls) limitations of photosynthesis increased, respectively, from 24 and 44 % in the wet season to 79 and 57 % at the peak of the dry season when mean Ψpd reached -5.2 MPa. After first rains, the PNpmax, ε, and Lm recovered reaching the wet season values, but Ls was maintained high (63 %). The shallow root system growing on stonemason limited by lateral concrete wall to a depth of 0.33 m explained why extreme Ψpd was brought about. Thus M. albicans is able to overcome quickly the strains imposed by severe water stress. and J. A. F. Monteiro, C. H. B. A. Prado.
The characteristics of evapotranspiration estimated by the complementary relationship actual evapotranspiration (CRAE), the advection-aridity (AA), and the modified advection-aridity (MAA) models were investigated in six pairs of rural and urban areas of Japan in order to evaluate the applicability of the three models the urban area. The main results are as follows: 1) The MAA model could apply to estimating the actual evapotranspiration in the urban area. 2) The actual evapotranspirations estimated by the three models were much less in the urban area than in the rural. 3) The difference among the estimated values of evapotranspiration in the urban areas was significant, depending on each model, while the difference among the values in the rural areas was relatively small. 4) All three models underestimated the actual evapotranspiration in the urban areas from humid surfaces where water and green spaces exist. 5) Each model could take the effect of urbanization into account.
Metal stress was induced in maize (Zea mays L.) by the addition to the soil of a range of concentrations of either ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetate (EDTA) or citric acid (CA) as chelating agents. Measurements were taken using a recently-developed sensor capable of plant fluorescence detection at wavelengths of 762 and 688 nm. Atmospheric oxygen absorbs radiation at these wavelengths. As such, measured fluorescence can be attributed to the plants under observation. Red/far-red (690/760 nm, R/FR) chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence ratios were measured before addition of the chelating agents and during the month following. Significant differences were seen in the fluorescence responses of those plants for which high concentrations [≥ 30 mmol kg-1(d.m. soil)] of EDTA were added to the pots compared to those for which CA or no chelating agent was added. The plants for which high concentrations of EDTA were added also exhibited higher tissue metal concentrations and demonstrated visible signs of stress. Before signs of visual stress became apparent, R/FR Chl fluorescence ratios for metal-stressed plants were significantly different to those observed for unstressed plants. These results support the use of plant fluorescence as a potential tool for early indication of phytotoxic metal stress. and J. J. Colls, D. P. Hall.