Úbytek svalové hmoty a zvyšování množství tělesného tuku je ve stáří fyziologickým jevem, při malnutrici či akutních stavech však dochází k rychlému snížení svaloviny a významnému poklesu svalové síly. V práci je uveden přehled základních antropometrických vyšetření a jsou zde prezentovány výsledky studie porovnávající antropometrická měření (obvod paže, měření kožní řasy nad tricepsem, dynamometrické vyšetření) na souboru hospitalizovaných geriatrických pacientů a mladých zdravých dobrovolníků. Prokázali jsme statisticky významný (p < 0,001) pokles svalové síly a snížení kožní řasy v celém souboru gerontologických pacientů. Zmenšení obvodu paže bylo statisticky významné pouze ve skupině mužů, u žen bylo zmenšení statisticky nevýznamné., Dana Hrnčiariková, Božena Jurašková, Petr Klemera, Zdeněk Zadák, and Lit.: 7
Antropometrická vyšetření jsou jednoduchými, levnými a účinnými metodami sledování množství svalové hmoty a procenta tuku v organizmu. U geriatrických pacientů jsou přínosná při odhalování osob v riziku malnutrice. Práce předkládá přehled užití antropometrických vyšetření jako součásti nutričních indexů a dotazníků. Dále jsou prezentovány výsledky srovnávající hodnoty antropometrických měření (obvod paže, měření kožní řasy nad tricepsem, dynamometrické vyšetření) u klientů domova důchodců a souborů hospitalizovaných geriatrických pacientů a mladých zdravých dobrovolníků. Prokázali jsme statisticky významný (p < 0,001) pokles svalové síly a obvodu paže u klientů domova důchodců oproti mladým dobrovolníkům. Při porovnání s hospitalizovanými geriatrickými pacienty měli klienti domova důchodců všechna antropometrická vyšetření vyšší., Anthropometrical examinations are simple, cheap and effective methods for monitoring muscle mass and body fat in an organism. They are useful to detect elderly people at risk of malnutrition. We present an overview of the application of anthropometrical examinations in nutritional indices and questionnaires. The study presents a comparison of anthropometrical measurements (mid-arm circumference, measurement of skin fold above the triceps, dynamometrical examination) in the group of elderly residents living in a retirement home and geriatric in-patients and young healthy volunteers. We identified statistically significant (p < 0.001) reduced muscle strength and mid-arm circumference in the group of elderly retirement home residents compared with the young volunteers. Elderly retirement home residents had higher results for all anthropometrical tests compared with geriatric in-patients., Dana Hrnčiariková, Božena Jurašková, Petr Klemera, Zdeněk Zadák, and Lit.: 12
The ants of the genus Protalaridris are revised based upon their morphology. Seven species are recognized; the type species (P. armata Brown, 1980) and six species described as new: P. aculeata Lattke & Alpert, sp. n., P. arhuaca Guerrero, Lattke & Alpert, sp. n., P. bordoni Lattke, sp. n., P. leponcei Delsinne & Lattke, sp. n., P. loxanensis Lattke, sp. n., and P. punctata Lattke, sp. n. The genus is patchily distributed in mesic forested areas from western Panama to northern Venezuela and along the Andes to the Amazon watershed of southwestern Peru. The generic description is modified to accommodate a short-mandibulate species. Sporadic biological observations of one long-mandibulate species suggest they are sit-and-wait ambush predators that open their jaws to approximately 180° when stalking. All species are described and imaged, an identification key and a distribution map is provided. Comparing the mandibular morphology of long-mandibulate Protalaridris with other extant and extinct ants bearing elongate, dorsoanterior arching mandibles suggests the supposed mandibular apex in these taxa is actually a hypertrophied, preapical tooth and their supposed basal mandibular tooth is the main mandibular shaft., John E. Lattke, Thibaut Delsinne, Gary D. Alpert, Roberto J. Guerrero., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Ani po 40 letech intenzivního vývoje chlopenních protéz není k dispozici ideální náhrada lidské chlopně. Jednou z alternativ zůstává aortální alograft, který může být použit zejména k náhradě aortální či pulmonální chlopně. Tato biologická protéza je stále diskutována z aspektu zpracování tkáně (Tissue Banking) i z aspektu klinického použití ? tedy chirurgické techniky implantace a dlouhodobých výsledků. Aktuální zůstává zejména implantace do aortální pozice. Autoři diskutují užití aortálního alograftu v léčbě infekční endokarditidy aortální chlopně, které je celosvětově rozšířeno a uznáváno. Implantace aortálního alograftu je na řadě pracovišť pokládána za metodu volby v této indikaci, zejména u protézové aortální endokarditidy a u endokarditidy destruující výtokový trakt levé komory srdeční. Metoda je sice technicky náročnější než implantace klasických chlopenních protéz (mechanických i biologických), ale literární údaje i vlastní zkušenosti autorů jsou speciálně v této indikaci velmi povzbudivé. Aortální alotransplantáty jsou v naší zemi trvale dostupné., Aleš Mokráček, Jaroslav Špatenka, M. Šulda, and Lit. 22
Tento článek je určen geriatrům, praktikům, internistům i kardiologům, aby staří nemocní, kteří trpí aortální stenózou, byli zavčas diagnostikováni, správně vyšetřeni a aby byla nalezena optimální léčba. A samozřejmé v prvé řadě je publikace věnována nemocným s aortální stenózou, kteří jsou v pokročilém věku, neboť těch se uvedeně lékařské postupy týkají nejvíce., This article is dedicated to geriatritians, internists and cardiologists to early diagnose, properly investigate and find an optimal treatment for elderly patients suffering from aortal stenosis. And of course, this publication is dedicated especially to patients with aortal stenosis at an advanced age because the mentioned medical procedures concern them the most., Roman Čerbák, and Lit. 21
Atrial fibrillation is associated with atrial remodeling, in which connexin 43 (Cx43) and cell hypertrophy play important roles. In this study, apelin-13, an aliphatic peptide, was used to explore the protective effects of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mTOR signaling pathway on Cx43 expression and autophagy, using murine atrial HL-1 cells. The expression of Cx43, AMPK, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and pathway-related proteins was detected by Western blot analysis. Cellular fluorescence imaging was used to visualize Cx43 distribution and the cytoskeleton. Our results showed that the Cx43 expression was significantly decreased in HL-1 cells treated with angiotensin II but increased in cells additionally treated with apelin-13. Meanwhile, apelin-13 decreased BNP expression and increased AMPK expression. However, the expression of Cx43 and LC3 increased by apelin-13 was inhibited by treatment with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. In addition, rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, promoted the development of autophagy, further inhibited the protective effect on Cx43 expression and increased cell hypertrophy. Thus, apelin-13 enhances Cx43 expression and autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, and serving as a potential therapeutic target for atrial fibrillation., Yifan Chen, Xi Qiao, Lijun Zhang, Xuewen Li, Qinghua Liu., and Obsahuje bibliografii
A laboratory study was conducted to examine tritrophic effects on the suitability of the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and tobacco aphid, Myzus persicae nicotianae (Blackman & Eastop), as prey for the two spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata (L.), when the aphids were reared on either sweet pepper or tobacco. Significant host plant-aphid interactions were evident for every component of development (juvenile survival, developmental time, adult mass at emergence) and reproduction (pre-oviposition period, fecundity, fertility). By almost all measures, the suitability of each aphid species was improved by rearing on its host plant of origin and diminished by rearing on the alternative host plant. The symmetry of the interactions are suggestive of both positive and negative host plant effects on aphid suitability as prey. Whereas M. p. nicotianae may be better able than M. persicae to detoxify the nicotine that is likely responsible for the reduced suitability of M. persicae when reared on tobacco, it appears to have lower nutritive value for A. bipunctata than M. persicae when reared on pepper. Thus, population parameters (R0, rm, l and DT) derived from performance data indicated that M. persicae reared on sweet pepper was the most suitable prey and that the same species reared on tobacco was the least suitable, with other host plant-aphid combinations intermediate., Mohammad A. Jalali, J.P. Michaud., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The influence of cucumber offered as a host plant either alone or with Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was studied on the various life table and biological characteristics of the predatory bug Macrolophus pygmaeus Rambur (Hemiptera: Miridae). The nymphal development was studied at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C while adult performance was assessed at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C, using a 16L : 8D photoperiod and 65 ± 5% r.h. Nymphs completed their development at all temperatures except at 35°C. Nymphal development took significantly longer time in the absence than in the presence of prey at 20 and 25°C, but the reverse was true at 15°C. Nymphal mortality was highest at 15°C in the presence of prey and it was mainly recorded at the first and second stages. Females oviposited a small number of eggs at all temperatures but not at 30°C in the absence of prey. The average number of eggs per female was almost similar with or without prey, being highest at 20°C, and adult longevity was highest at 15°C. The results concerning population parameters clearly showed that cucumber with or without prey can not support a population increase of M. pygmaeus. However, it seems that A. gossypii on cucumber inhibits development of M. pygmaeus more than when this aphid species is not present. This adverse effect on this host plant-prey system possibly results from the particular aphid genotype on cucumber, leading to high nymphal mortality, reduced fecundity and short adult life-span of M. pygmaeus.
Oxidative stress plays an important role in pressure overloadinduced
cardiac remodeling. The purpose of this study was to determine whether apocynin, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor, attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling in rats. After abdominal aorta constriction, the surviving rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham group, abdominal aorta constriction group, apocynin group, captopril group. Left ventricular pathological changes were studied using Masson’s trichrome staining. Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels in the left ventricle were analyzed by western blot and gelatin zymography. Oxidative stress and apoptotic index were also examined in cardiomyocytes using dihydroethidium and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), respectively. Our results showed that abdominal aorta constriction significantly caused excess collagen deposition and cardiac insult. Treatment with apocynin significantly inhibited deposition of collagen and reduced the level of MMP-2. Furthermore, apocynin also decreased the NADPH oxidase activity, reactive oxygen species production and cardiomyocyte apoptotic index. Interestingly, apocynin only inhibited NADPH oxidase activity without affecting its expression or the level of angiotension II in the left ventricle. In conclusion, apocynin reduced collagen deposition, oxidative stress, and inhibited apoptosis, ultimately ameliorating cardiac remodeling by mechanisms that are independent of the renin-angiotensin system.
The pattern and signal transduction of neuronal apoptosis in the brain of the silk moth, Bombyx mori, during postembryonic life, were characterized. Peak numbers of apoptotic neurons were detected in 4 day old 4th instar larvae, 9 day old 5th instar larvae and 4 day old pupae, indicating three waves of neuronal apoptosis during postembryonic development. Most of the apoptotic neurons were in the lateral portions of the brain. No apoptotic neurons were detected in 1 day old 1st instar larvae or in 7 day old pupae to 1 day old adults. Injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) into larvae resulted in a substantial increase in the brain in both neuronal apoptosis and cleavage of procaspases-8 and -3 into caspases-8 and -3. However, the injection of larvae with actinomycin D or cycloheximide inhibited death of pre-apoptotic neurons. Both the cleavage of procaspases-8 and -3 and death of pre-apoptotic neurons were inhibited by a general caspase inhibitor and caspase-8 and -3 inhibitors injected into larvae. These results suggest that 20E triggered the synthesis of a new protein that, in turn, induces cleavage of procaspases-8 and -3 into caspases-8 and -3. These caspases are prerequisites for neuronal apoptosis in postembryonic brains.