Největším rodem příbuzným travám jsou ostřice (Carex) z čeledi šáchorovitých (Cyperaceae), jichž je u nás přes 80 druhů. Travám jsou podobné ve sterilním stavu a podobně jako trávy tvoří dominanty různých biotopů. Vedle podrobnější charakteristiky ostřic se v tomto dílu seznámíme s ostřicemi vlhčích nelesních i lesních biotopů. and Sedges (Carex – Cyperaceae) are with their over 80 species in the Czech Republic the largest genus related to grasses in the non-flowering state, and (like grasses) are dominant of various biotopes. Diagnostic characters of sedges and species from moist forest and non-forest habitats are described in this issue.
Úvodní část šestidílného seriálu představuje řád lipnicokvětých (Poales), sdružující vesměs rostliny trávovitého vzhledu (habitu). Krátce jsou pojednány fylogenetické vztahy čeledí uvnitř řádu a představeny tři celosvětové rozšířené: lipnicovité (Poaceae, Gramineae), šáchorovité (Cyperaceae) a sítinovité (Juncaceae). Zmíněny jsou specifické vegetativní znaky trav i zvláštnosti v květech a plodech. První díl seriálu je zakončen přehledem charakteristických (a dominantních) druhů našich trav v lesních společenstvech. and The introductory part describes the order Poales which consists of grasslike plants. The phylogenetic relationships of families are briefly described and three of them with worldwide distribution are presented: Poaceae (Gramineae), Cyperaceae and Juncaceae. Specific vegetative characters of grasses are underlined as well as the peculiarities of their flowers and fruits.
Ve třetím díle seriálu se představují středoevropské suchomilné (xerotermní) trávy stepí, skal a písčin, pocházející zejména z obtížných rodů kostřava (Festuca) a kavyl (Stipa). V protikladu k velké druhové diverzitě trav na těchto stanovištích stojí trávy z druhé strany vlhkostního spektra – vodní a bažinné: těch není mnoho, tvoří ale kompaktní porosty a často jsou rozšířeny po celém světě či alespoň v rámci jednoho světadílu. and Central-European grasses of steppes, rocks and sands are presented, especially those belonging to more complicated genera, such as Festuca and Stipa. In contrast to this group of grasses rich in species diversity, we can find grasses from the other side of the moist spectrum – species of waters and marshes. Those are not too numerous, but they form compact vegetation cover and they are usually spread over the whole world or at least throughout one continent.
Výhodou trav je, že většina rodů má jednotlivé druhy napříč ekologickým spektrem, takže při znalosti jejich ekologických nároků máme na lokalitě obvykle na výběr jen omezený počet druhů jednoho rodu. V tomto pokračování seriálu jsou přiblíženy trávy z pohledu jednotlivých stanovišť, převážně ty druhy, se kterými se můžeme běžně setkat. and Grasses can be found in a wide range of habitats. However, different species of one genus usually have different ecological preferences, which makes their determination easier. Dominants of three common habitats are described.
The use of treated wastewater (TWW) for agricultural irrigation becomes increasingly important in water stressed regions like the Middle East for substituting fresh water (FW) resources. Due to elevated salt concentrations and organic compounds in TWW this practice has potential adverse effects on soil quality, such as the reduction of hydraulic conductivity (HC) and soil aggregate stability (SAS). To assess the impact of TWW irrigation in comparison to FW irrigation on HC, in-situ infiltration measurements using mini disk infiltrometer were deployed in four different long-term experimental orchard test sites in Israel. Topsoil samples (0-10 cm) were collected for analyzing SAS and determination of selected soil chemical and physical characteristics. The mean HC values decreased at all TWW sites by 42.9% up to 50.8% compared to FW sites. The SAS was 11.3% to 32.4% lower at all TWW sites. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) were generally higher at TWW sites. These results indicate the use of TWW for irrigation is a viable, but potentially deleterious option, as it influences soil physical and chemical properties.
In rats, neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) causes serious damage in some hypothalamic and circumventricular areas. The resulting loss of appropriate neurons important for the regulation of blood pressure (BP) may modulate cardiovascular system receptivity in these animals. In the present study, the reactivity of the cardiovascular system to intravenous injection of ai-adrenergic receptor agonist phenylephrine (200 ^g/kg/ml) and angiotensin II (500 ng/kg in 0.6 ml for 2 min) was investigated in adult rats which had been neonatally treated with MSG or vehicle. BP parameters measured directly in conscious cannulated rats were continuously registered using a computerized system. Under basal conditions, MSG-treated rats had slightly lower systolic, diastolic and mean BP with significant differences in pulse pressure (systolic - diastolic BP). In MSG-treated animals, the maximal increase of mean arterial BP after phenylephrine and the duration of BP elevation after both agents were significantly reduced. Slopes of the linear portion of baroreceptor function curves in control and MSG-treated rats did not differ significantly, indicating that baroreflex efficacy was unchanged. The results obtained by perfusion of the hindlimb vascular bed in situ showed that the pressure responses to increasing doses of noradrenaline in MSG-treated rats were reduced. These findings demonstrate that neonatal treatment of rats with MSG lowers the responsiveness of the cardiovascular system, particularly in response to a-adrenergic stimulation. It is suggested that the attenuation of cardiovascular reactivity in MSG-treated rats is, at least partly, caused by diminished vascular responsiveness.
High incidence of infertility along with low vitamin D levels was detected in otherwise healthy young men. The aim is to observe the effect of vitamin D supplementation on semen parameters as assessed by semen analysis in infertile men. In total, 45 men (mean age 36.6 years) in consecutive order were included, of whom 34 finished the study. Subjects were supplemented by vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day. Vitamin D levels were assessed by HPLC. Semen analysis was performed strictly following 2010 WHO guidelines. Study periods were baseline and month 6. During follow-up, 20 %, 7.4 %, 22 % and 0.7 % increase in serum vitamin D levels, progressive sperm motility, sperm concentration and sperm morphology, respectively, were observed (all p<0.05). At follow-up end, 9 patients (26 %) reached normal sperm parameters of whom 2 fertilized their partner. There was no correlation between vitamin D and semen parameters observed. This study proves that vitamin D supplementation is possibly a modulator of sperm parameters in vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men. Although a direct relationship between vitamin D and sperm parameters was not observed obtaining adequate vitamin D levels could likely play a role in the male factor of infertility., Igor Bartl, Miroslava Ondrušová, Martin Kužma, Peter Jackuliak, Andrea Gažová, Ján Kyselovič, Juraj Payer., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its animal model adjuvant arthritis (AA) are inflammatory diseases characterized by chronic inflammation, systemic oxidative stress and disturbed mitochondrial bioenergetics of skeletal muscle. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q10 - CoQ10 (100 mg/kg b.w.), omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids - ω-3-PUFA (400 mg/kg b.w.) and their combined treatment in AA on impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics, inflammation and changes in levels CoQ9 and CoQ10 in plasma. Markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, monocytechemotactic protein-1), antioxidant capacity of plasma, respiratory chain parameters of skeletal muscle mitochondria and concentrations of CoQ9 and CoQ10 in plasma and in muscle tissue were estimated. Treatment of the arthritic rats with CoQ10, ω-3-PUFA alone and in combination partially reduced markers of inflammation and increased antioxidant capacity of plasma, significantly increased concentrations of coenzyme Q in mitochondria and improved mitochondrial function in the skeletal muscle. Combined treatment has similar effect on the mitochondrial function as monotherapies; however, it has affected inflammation and antioxidant status more intensively than monotherapies. Long-term supplementary administration of coenzyme Q10 and ω-3-PUFA and especially their combination is able to restore the impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics and antioxidant status in AA., Jarmila Kucharská, Silvester Poništ, Oľga Vančová, Anna Gvozdjáková, Oľga Uličná, Lukáš Slovák, Mohsen Taghdisiesfejir, Katarína Bauerová., and Obsahuje bibliografii