Metabolic syndrome is a prevalent, complex condition. The search for genetic determinants of the syndrome is currently undergoing a paradigm enhancement by adding systems genetics approaches to association studies. We summarize the current evidence on relations between an emergent new candidate, zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 (ZBTB16) transcription factor and the major components constituting the metabolic syndrome. Information stemming from studies on experimental models with altered Zbtb16 expression clearly shows its effect on adipogenesis, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, lipid levels and insulin sensitivity. Based on current evidence, we provide a network view of relations between ZBTB16 and hallmarks of metabolic syndrome in order to elucidate the potential functional links involving the ZBTB16 node. Many of the identified genes interconnecting ZBTB16 with all or most metabolic syndrome components are linked to immune function, inflammation or oxidative stress. In summary, ZBTB16 represents a promising pleiotropic candidate node for metabolic syndrome., O. Šeda, L. Šedová, J. Včelák, M. Vaňková, F. Liška, B. Bendlová., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The data derived from rat models and the preliminary results of human studies provide strong indices of involvement of common ZBTB16 variants in a range of cardiovascular and metabolic traits. This cross-sectional study in the Caucasian cohort of 1517 Czech adults aimed to verify the hypothesis that ZBTB16 gene variation directly affects obesity and serum lipid levels. Genotyping of nine polymorphisms of the ZBTB16 gene (rs11214863, rs593731, rs763857, rs2846027, rs681200, rs686989, rs661223, rs675044, rs567057) was performed. A multivariate bidirectional regression with the reduction of dimensionality (O2PLS model) revealed relationships between basal lipid levels and anthropometric parameters and some minor ZBTB16 alleles. In men, the predictors - age and presence of minor ZBTB16 alleles of rs686989, rs661223, rs675044, rs567057 - were associated with significantly higher body mass index, waist to hip ratio, body adiposity index, waist and abdominal circumferences, higher total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and explained 20 % of variability of these variables. In women, the predictors - age and presence of the rs686989 minor T allele - were also associated with increased anthropometric parameters and total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol but the obtained O2PLS model explained only 7.8 % of the variability of the explained variables. Our study confirmed that the selected gene variants of the transcription factor ZBTB16 influence the obesity-related parameters and lipid levels. This effect was more pronounced in men., B. Bendlová, M. Vaňková, M. Hill, G. Vacínová, P. Lukášová, D. Vejražková, L. Šedová, O. Šeda, J. Včelák., and Obsahuje bibliografii
The trans-border area of the Sudetes between Žďarky and Pstrążna has attracted Prussian/German, Austrian, Czech and Polish geologists since the middle of the 19th century. The history of mapping of this area reflects the scientific development of geological centres in Berlin, Vienna, Prague and Wrocław. This paper presents a description of the oldest geological maps of Lower Silesia in the context of changing knowledge on the Carboniferous and Cretaceous stratigraphy and on the tectonics of the region. On the basis of DEM and field studies the author presents his own geological map of the area of the Pstrążna Elevation together with a description of the local structural geology. A regional structural model is suggested, that explains all the local elevations as having developed in response to a dextral strike-slip activity of the Žďarky-Jakubowice Fault during late Tertiary to Recent times, at an eastern extension of the Poříčí-Hronov Fault Zone., Jurand Wojewoda., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Zdeněk Mařatka (1914–2010) by vedoucí osobností české i slovenské gastroenterologie i přes nepřízeň tehdejšího komunistického režimu. Byl jedním ze zakladatelů gastroenterologie v Československu. Habilitoval se velmi časně po 2. světové válce v roce 1948 monografií Ulcerózní kolitis, kde shrnul své osobní zkušenosti i poznatky ze studijního pobytu v USA a dalších zemích. Mařatka stál u kolébky České gastroenterologické společnosti a své působení završil vysoce úspěšným 8. kongresem ASNEMGE, na němž působil jako vědecký sekretář a jako prezident 1. kongresu trávicí endoskopie. Tyto významné akce se konaly právě v optimistickém období Pražského jara v roce 1968. Vzhledem ke své bohaté publikační činnosti byl Mařatka nominován či volen do různých mezinárodních organizací a v letech 1976–1980 byl dokonce prezidentem Evropské endoskopické společnosti (ESGE). Stál u zrodu časopisu gastroenterologické společnosti, původně nazvaný Gastroenterologia Bohema a později Československá gastroenterologie a výživa. Názvy časopisu se měnily převážně po roce 1989, bohužel ke škodě vzhledem k jeho mezinárodnímu ohlasu a prezentaci na MEDLINE či PUBMED. Mařatka byl členem redakční rady, v letech 1969–1999 byl hlavním redaktorem. Velmi byly oceňovány jeho ,,špičky“, krátká, většinou jednovětá shrnutí zajímavého zahraničního článku, které uveřejňoval v každém čísle až do své smrti. Jako editor emeritus se trvale podílel svými radami i písemnými příspěvky., Zdeněk Mařatka (1914–2010) was a leading person in a Czech and Slovak gastroenterology in spite of the infavourable approach of the official communist policy to him.. He was one of the founders of gastroenterology in Czechoslovakia. He had been habilitated in 1948 for thesis Ulcerative colitis. Mařatka stood at the first steps of foundation of Czech Gastroenterology Society very soon after the WW2 and followed with the preparation as a secretary general of the 8th ASNEMGE Congress in Prague 1968 and as a president the 1st Congress of Endoscopy in the very optimistic atmosphere of ,,Prague Spring“. He was nominated or elected by several international gastroenterology organisations, during 1976–1980 had been President of ESGE. He started with editoring of Czech gastroenterology Association journal as a member of editorial board and had been its main editor between 1969–1999. His well appreciated novelty in the magazine was a short remarks in one or two sentences from the world scientific literature which appeared in every copy. As an editor emeritus he supported the quality of the journal by many advices and contributions including articles., and Milan Kment