The oribatid mite Galumna elimata was reared under laboratory conditions on algae (Protacoccus spp.) at different temperatures (5, 15 and 20°C). Higher weight-specific amylolytic activity was found in the whole body homogenates of mites exposed to cold acclimation (5°C, 21 days) in comparison with individuals acclimated to 15 and 20°C. Accompanying parameters (live body weight, content of total soluble proteins in the body, protein-specific amylolytic activity, presence and composition of food boluses, activity of mesenteric and caecal wall cells, gregarinid parasitisation, number of glycogen granulae and guanine deposits in mesenchymal tissue, presence of proventricular glands) were investigated at all three acclimation temperatures to explain mechanisms of this change. The acclimation response of weight-specific amylolytic activity was accompanied by elevation of protein-specific amy lolytic activity. Microanatomical features did not confirm any increased secretion activity of mesenteric and caecal cells in cold acclimated animals. Granulation and apocrine secretion of these cells increased with increasing temperature as with food ingestion. The food boluses contained algae or algae mixed with unknown fungal hyphae in individuals acclimated to 15 and 20°C. The concentrated mucoid substances prevailed in animals exposed to cold, indicating lower feeding activity at 5°C. Based on these findigs, Lye hypothesised that specific amylolytic activity reflected passively the different changes in protein composition of the body at different temperatures and its elevation is without direct adaptive importance., Vladimír Šustr, Jan Hubert, and Lit
Large animal models to explore the safety and tolerability of novel therapeutic approaches for Huntington’s disease (HD) are in exploration to achieve higher translational reliability in future studies. Recently, a Libechov minipig has been established as one new transgenic (Tg) large animal model for HD. We here discuss the advantages and limitations in using this model in HD with regards to breeding, housing, handling, and with respect to homology to humans and ethical considerations. A group of TgHD and wild type (WT) female minipigs (n = 36) was used to gain first evidence about abovementioned aspects. It is concluded that Libechov minipigs may fulfill an important role to bridge the gap between rodents and non‑human primates in the translation to humans. and S. Schramke, R. Schubert, F. Frank, M. Wirsig, M. Fels, N. Kemper, V. Schuldenzucker, R. Reilmann
The male of Tetanoptera leucodactyla Verbèke, a genus and species of Sciomyzidae known until now only from one female specimen from the Congo, is described, and the genus is more fully characterized. The external morphology is illustrated and the male genitalia are described and figured for the first time. The relationships of Tetanoptera to genera of the Sepedon group and certain other genera of Tetanocerini are discussed. Tetanoptera appears to be related to Verbekaria, and intermediate in an evolutionary lineage between the relatively primitive Tetanocera and the advanced Thecomyia., Lloyd V. Knutson, Jean-Claude Vala, and Lit
Charcot foot neuropathic osteoarthropathy is a disorder affecting the soft tissues, joints, and bones of the foot and ankle. The disease is triggered in a susceptible individual through a process of uncontrolled inflammation leading to osteolysis, progressive fractures and articular malpositioning due to joint subluxations and dislocations. The progression of the chronic deformity with a collapsed plantar arch leads to plantar ulcerations because of increased pressure on the plantar osseous prominences and decreased plantar sensation. Subsequent deep soft tissue infection and osteomyelitis may result in amputation. The Charcot foot in diabetes represents an important diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in clinical practice. Conservative treatment remains the standard of the care for most patients with neuropathic disorder. Offloading the foot and immobilization based on individual merit are essential and are the most important recommendations in the active acute stage of the Charcot foot. Surgical realignment with stabilization is recommended in severe progressive neuropathic deformities consisting of a collapsed plantar arch with a rocker-bottom foot deformity. and P. Sponer, T. Kucera, J. Brtková, J. Srot
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a specialized subpopulation of T cells that act to suppress inadequate immune response. Psoriasis is recognized as a T -cell driven immune-mediated systemic inflammatory disease with skin manifestation. Effective therapeutical approach to treat psoriasis is Goeckerman therapy (GT ). The aim of this study was to compare the number of Treg in the peripheral blood of 27 psoriatic patients and 19 controls and to evaluate the influence of GT on Treg population in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis. There was no significant difference in the relative number of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of healthy blood donors and patients with psoriasis before initiation of GT (P = 0.2668). In contrary, the relative number of Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis after GT was significantly higher than those found in healthy blood donors (P = 0.0019). Moreover, the relative number of Treg is significantly increased in psoriatic patients after Goeckerman therapy compared to the pre-treatment level (P = 0.0042). In conclusion, this significant increase in Treg count after GT is probably associated with amelioration of inflammation by GT , as disease activity expressed as PASI decreased in our patients by GT (P = 0.0001)., Kateřina Kondělková, Doris Vokurková, Jan Krejsek, Lenka Borská, Zdeněk Fiala, Květa Hamáková, Ctirad Andrýs, and Literatura 39
Cíl: Cílem studie je stanovit prevalenci chronického selhání ledvin u 101 pacientů s monoklonální gamapatií neurčeného významu (MGUS). Typ studie: retrospektivní studie. Materiál a metody: Porovnali jsme glomerulární filtraci odhadovanou ze sérového kreatininu a cystatinu C a hodnotili jsme korelaci mezi koncentrací volných lehkých řetězců v séru a funkcí ledvin. U všech pacientů jsme provedli elektroforézu pro - teinů séra s denzitometrickou kvantifikací monoklonálního imunoglobulinu a změřili jsme koncentraci kreatininu, cystatinu C, volných lehkých řetězců kappa a lambda, β 2 mikroglobulinu. Výsledky: Chronické selhání ledvin jsme nalezli u 38,6 % pacientů na základě odhadu ze sérového cystatinu C a u 34,6 % pacientů na základě odhadu ze sérového kreatininu. B2mikroglobulin má největší počet významných korelací; cystatin C (0,90), CysC GFR (-0,69), Kreatinin (0,70), MDRD GFR (-0,60), MIg koncentrace (0,24), κ FLC (0,22) λ FLC (0,34) a věk (0,40). Tento velký počet korelací lze vysvětlit tím, že β 2mikroglobulin odráží jak zátěž organismu maligními buňkami, tak pokles glomerulární filtrace. Závěr: Chronické selhání ledvin jsme nalezli u 38,6 % pacientů při odhadu glomerulární filtrace z cystatinu C a u 34,6 % při odhadu ze sérového kreatininu. Třída monoklonálního imunoglobulinu může mít vliv na výsledky odhadu glomerulární filtrace ze sérového cystatinu C, odhad glomerulární filtrace ze sérového kreatininu není ovlivněn třídou imunoglobulinu. Diabetici neměli statisticky signifikantně nižší glomerulární filtraci než pacienti bez diabetu mellitu., Background: Renal function is more frequently decreased in patients with monoclonal gammopathy. 10 % of patients with multiple myeloma present with acute renal failure and renal function is included in CRAB criteria for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of chronic renal failure (CRF), defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 1.0 ml/s/1.73m 2 , in 101 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Design: retrospective study Material and methods: We compared GFR estimates from serum creatinine (MDRD GFR) and serum cystatin C (CysC GFR) and looked at the correlation between free light chains (FLC) concentration and renal markers. We performed serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) with quantification of monoclonal intact immunoglobulin (MIg) and measured serum creatinine, cysta - tin C, κ and λ FLC and β 2microglobulin in all patients. Results: We found CRF in 38.6% patients using estimation from serum cystatin C and 34.6 % using estimation from serum creatinine. B2microglobulin has the highest number of significant correlations; cystatin C (0.90), CysC GFR (-0.69), crea - tinine (0.70), MDRD GFR (-0.60), MIg concentration (0.24), κ FLC (0.22) λ FLC (0.34) and age (0.40). The best correlation results may be explained by the fact that β 2microglobulin reflects both malignant cells burden and renal function. Conclusions: We found CRF in 38.6 % MGUS patients using estimation from serum cystatin C and in 34.6 % using estima - tion from serum creatinine. The class of monoclonal immunoglobulin may influence results of glomerular filtration estimated from cystatin C but it does not influence GFR estimated from creatinine. Diabetic patients had not significantly lower GFR than patients without diabetes mellitus., Šálek T., Moravčíková D., Humpolíček P., Tichý M., Palička V., and Literatura
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems among Czech dentists and to analyze the factors that affect these disorders. Information was gathered through questionnaire completed by 581 physicians. The questionnaire ascertained general information about physicians including their work habits and the characteristics of their work environment along with the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems as well as their intensity. In the past year the occurrence of at least mild difficulties associated with the locomotive system was reported by 96.9% of dentists surveyed (n = 557), with 66.3% of respondents (n = 381) reporting difficulties ofa moderate or major nature. Most respondents of both sexes indicated neck pain. A statistically significant correlation with the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints of medium and major intensity was demonstrated for the following factors: sex, age, running a private practice, past injury or musculoskeletal diseases, and the perception of work as psychologically demanding. Musculoskeletal disorders in dentists in Czech Republic are relatively frequent and serious health problem. The causes of these diseases must be identified and appropriate preventive interventions undertaken that will contribute to a reduction in the incidence of these problems. and Z. Sustová, L. Hodacová, M. Kapitán
Cíl práce: Lipoperoxidace je dávána do příčinné souvislosti s rozvojem nejdůležitějších rizikových faktorů kardiovaskulárních onemocnění. Lipoperoxidační procesy jsou důsledkem reakcí lipidů s volnými radikály bez ohledu na jejich původ. Vztah mezi triacylglyceroly (TAG) a volnými radikály (VR) není zcela jasný. Může se dokonce stát, že hypertriacylglycerolémie je doprovázena nízkými koncentracemi VR a naopak. Jedno z možných vysvětlení spočívá ve vztahu lipoperoxidace a složení mastných kyselin v molekulách TAG. Cílem této studie bylo analyzovat vztah složení mastných kyselin v TAG a produkci VR u pacientů trpících diabetes mellitus 2. typu. Typ studie: observační s kontrolní skupinou Materiál a metody: Studie zahrnovala 18 normotriacylglycerolemických (NTG) jedinců (M/F 12/6) a 24 hypertriacylglycerolemických (HTG) jedinců (M/F 16/8). Pacienti v obou skupinách byli diabetici 2. typu. Analýzu mastných kyselin v triacylglycerolech plazmy jsme provedli kapilární plynovou chromatografií a koncentrace volných radikálů byly změřeny přímou spektrofotometrií. Statistické analýzy (parametrické i neparametrické) byly provedeny pomocí statistického software STATISTICA pro Windows. Výsledky: Ve skupině HTG jsme pozorovali nižší zastoupení kyseliny myristové (14:0) (1.62 [1.23-2.07] vs. 1.90 [1.72-2.79], p = 0.022, [medián (1.-3. kvartil]) a vyšší poměr alfa-linolenové kyseliny (18:3n-3) (1.51 [1.21-1.86] vs 1.16 [1.02-1.42], p = 0.021). Poměr kyselin arachidonové/eikosapentaenové byl ve skupině HTG nižší (5.54 [3.62-7.98] vs 7.25 [5.98-15.12], p = 0.027). Když jsme HTG skupinu dále rozdělili podle koncentrací VR na tercily, prokázali jsme nižší hodnoty poměru kyseliny arachidonová/eikosapentaenová ve druhém tercilu (4.05 [2.66-4.67] vs 7.64 [5.83-11.00], 1. tercil, a 6.21 [3.20-8.31], 3. tercil p = 0.019). V spojených HTG+NTG skupinách jsme zaznamenali negativní korelaci mezi MA a TAG (r = -0.3153, p = 0.045). V triaclylglycerolech jsme prokázali pozitivní korelace VR a kyseliny stearové (p < 0.001) spolu s negativní korelací některých n-6 vícenenasycených mastných kyselin (18:3n-6, p < 0.05, 22:5n-6, p < 0.01). Závěr: Zastoupení mastných kyselin v molekulách TAG je spojeno s tvorbou VR. Nicméně do tohoto vztahu vstupují i jiné faktory., Objective: The lipoperoxidation plays a causal role in the development of most important risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The lipoperoxidation results from the reaction of lipid molecules with free radicals, regardless of their origin. The relationship between triacylglycerols (TAG) and the free radicals (FR) amount is not clear. Thus, it can turn up that the hypertriacylglyceridaemia is accompanied with the low values of FR, or vice versa. One possible explanation of this phenomenon is that the degree of lipoperoxidation of TAG is dependent on the composition of fatty acids (FA) in their molecule. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze FA composition in TAG and its relationship to FR production in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Design: observational study with internal control group Material and Methods: 18 normotriacylglycerolemic (NTG) individuals (12M/6F) and 24 hypertriacylglycerolemic (HTG) patients (16M/8F). Patients in both groups were persons, suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fatty acid analysis of plasma triacylglycerols was performed by gas chromatography and free radicals were determined by direct spectrophotometric method. Statistical analyses (both parametric and non-parametric) were performed with the statistical software STATISTICA for Windows. Results: We found lower content of myristic acid (14:0) (1.62 [1.23-2.07] vs. 1.90 [1.72-2.79], p = 0.022, [median (1st-3rd quartile)]) and higher content of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) (1.51 [1.21-1.86] vs. 1.16 [1.02-1.42], p = 0.021) in HTG group. The ratio of arachidonic/eicosapentaenoic acid was in HTG group lower (5.54 [3.62-7.98] vs. 7.25 [5.98-15.12], p = 0.027). When the HTG group was stratified into the tertiles by the FR concentrations, we observed lower values in the second tertile for ratios based on arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) (4.05 [2.66-4.67] vs. 7.64 [5.83-11.00], 1st tertile, and 6.21 [3.20-8.31], 3rd tertile, p = 0.019). In pooled groups, we proved negative correlation between MA and TAG (r = -0.3153, p = 0.045) and the link between FR and FA composition of TAG expressed as positive relationship of FR with content of stearic acid (p < 0.001) and negative correlation with some n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (18:3n-6, p < 0.05, 22:5n-6, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The composition of FA in TAG molecules has undoubtedly some relationship to the FR generation. However, the other factors seem to play a role, since the relationship is not straightforward within entire FR range., and Vecka M., Tvrzická E., Votruba M.
Wound healing is a complex physiological process important for tissue homeostasis. An acute injury initiates massive cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, synthesis of extracellular matrix components, scar formation and remodelling. Blood flow and tissue oxygenation are parts of the complex regulation of healing. Higher organisms utilize molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant. This way of gaining energy for vital processes such as healing leads to the production of a number of oxygen compounds that may have a defensive or informatory role. They may be harmful when present in high concentrations. Both the lack and the excess of reactive oxygen species may influence healing negatively., Jiří Kanta, and Literatura 6
Cíl studie: Cílem studie bylo zjištění vztahů mezi manifestací tinnitu, nálezem na sluchových evokovaných potenciálech a genetickým pozadím u receptoru pro gamaaminomáselnou kyselinu typu A (GABA(A) receptor), podporující desinhibiční hypotézu vzniku tinnitu. Soubor a metodika: Bylo vyšetřeno 131 pacientů z hlediska sluchové ztráty, provedena kvantifikace tinnitu, sluchové evokované potenciály střední latence (MLR) a kmenové sluchové evokované potenciály (BAEP) a dále stanovení genotypu (CA)n repetitivní sekvence pro beta‑3 podjednotku GABA(A) receptoru. Následně byly hledány vztahy mezi jednotlivými výsledky a manifestací tinnitu. Výsledky: Byla nalezena korelace tinnitus skóre s amplitudovým poměrem vln V/III v BAEP (R = 0,22, p < 0,001) a s průměrným sluchovým prahem (R = 0,22, p = 0,17). Rovněž byla nalezena korelace tinnitus skóre s amplitudou vlny PA v MLR (R = 0,31–0,37; p < 0,001). Výsledky MLR neukázaly žádný vztah k průměrnému sluchovému prahu. U skupiny s kratší anamnézou tinnitu (méně než devět měsíců) byl prokázán rozdíl v manifestaci tinnitu na genotypu pro (CA)n repetitivní sekvenci genu pro beta‑3 podjednotku GABA(A) receptoru (p = 0,002). Tento výsledek byl rovněž konzistentní s rozložením amplitudy vlny PA v dané subpopulaci. Závěr: Tyto výsledky svědčí o existenci dvou hlavních regulačních mechanizmů vzniku tinnitu: první, který je závislý na velikosti sluchové ztráty, je na úrovni mozkového kmene, zatímco druhý je na úrovni korové s možnou souvislostí s genotypem (CA)n repetitivní sekvence pro beta‑3 podjednotku GABA(A) receptoru., Study aim:Study objective was to explore associations between manifestation of tinnitus, auditory evoked potentials and genetic background of gamma‑aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A) receptors) to support the disinhibited feedback hypothesis of tinnitus generation. Materials and methods: A population of 131 patients was assessed for severity of hearing loss, quantification of tinnitus, mid‑latency responses (MLR) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), and (CA)n tandem repeat polymorphism in GABA(A) Beta‑3 subunit gene to establish any correlation with manifestation of tinnitus. Results: It was observed that tinnitus score correlates with V/III amplitude ratio in BAEP (R = 0.22, p < 0.001) and with mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) threshold (R = 0.22, p = 0.017). Analysis of the MLR results showed a significant correlation between the PA wave amplitude and the tinnitus score (R = 0.31–0.37; p < 0.001). MLR result analysis showed no statistically significant correlation between the wave amplitudes and the mean auditory threshold. An analysis of a subgroup with shorter clinical history (less than nine months) revealed a statistically significant difference in the tinnitus score in relation to the genotype of (CA)n tandem repeat of the GABRß3 receptor subunit gene (p = 0.002). This result was also consistent with the distribution of the PA wave amplitude in the given subpopulation. Conclusion: Our findings indicate existence of two main regulatory mechanisms of tinnitus generation: first, the brainstem mechanism is dependent on the severity of the hearing loss; second, the cortical mechanism is likely to be dependent on the genotype of (CA)n tandem repeat in GABA(A) beta‑3 subunit gene., and J. Rottenberg, M. Zallmann, R. Kostrica, M. Jurajda, T. Talach